Gichimanidoo-Giizis (Great-Spirit Moon), January 1, 2023
Boozhoo indinawemaagan, gidinimikoo miinawaa! Biindigen miinawaa nindaadizooke wigamigong; enji-zaagi'iding miinawaa gikendaasong. Hello my relatives, I greet you in a good way! Welcome once more to my storytelling lodge, a place of love and learning.
Today, I want to reflect on the importance of rediscovering the ancient language and using it to reconnect with the spirits of the Universe.
In ancient times, all Anishinaabeg (Turtle Island peoples) shared a single language and could observe their ancestors, the anangowininiwag (star people), in the distant night sky. All our inawemaaganag (relations) were able to communicate and comprehend one another. The stars, plant people, stone people, four-legged creatures, winged beings, and every living entity spoke the same language.
However, on an unfortunate day, the Turtle Island people lost their balance, believing they were superior and more intelligent than the rest of creation. As a result, GICHI-MANIDOO (the Great Mystery) limited their vision and confused them by introducing numerous languages.
After that time, the Anishinaabeg were unable to communicate in their original language, now known as "telepathy," in the same way. Only a select few individuals born with mashkiki ("medicine") still comprehend this language.
It is believed that our inawemaaganag, the spirits of the Sky, Waters, and Earth, have always remembered this language. Therefore, we should learn from these spirits and honor them as our forebears once did. The stars, eagles, fish, and trees serve as our educators, and through rituals, observation, and reverence for these and numerous other spirits, we are welcomed back into the circle and taught the ancient language.
By using our pipes, drums, rattles, dreams, visions, and traditional storytelling, we reconnect to the roots of true communication and the spirit that flows through everything. This is one of the many reasons we return to ceremonies and retell the old stories, continue to wear our traditional regalia, and keep our hair long today.
Ahaaw, miigwech gibizindaw -- ok, thank you for listening.
- Text loosely based on a teaching by Gianni Crow (Source: Mishkiki) - Illustration: Wenabozho and the Gift of the Tree Nation ©2022 Zhaawano Giizhik
Ahnii I'm Eszter learning my culture and language. Grew up being told I'm not Native. I'm from the Fisher Clan, Chippewas of the Thames, First Nation
❤️🪶