Ojibwemowin Revitalization Celebration Held - P2

"There is a great beauty to the language and culture of the Red Lake Ojibwe." ~Chi-Ma'iingan/Larry Stillday.

Concerned that language and tradition will disappear as elders die, natives of Red Lake Nation - and across the country - are focused on language revitalization and related efforts to retain tribal culture. Much of indigenous culture depends on native language, as many concepts just cannot be translated to English.

"Come join us to celebrate the Ojibwe Language on Wednesday, June 25, 2014," read a flyer distributed reservation-wide the week previous. In response cars and trucks streamed into the East side of a grassland near the Red Lake Hospital around 6 p.m. A bit cool for a summer's eve, light jackets and sweaters were not an unusual site, but the mood was warm and joyful.

Off to the right children lined up to take their turn on one of those "bouncy castles" brought in for the evening by Tom Barrett, Sr. Off to the left front, a large tent was filled with tables and chairs while nearby brats and burgers were being grilled for the feast to come.

In the center of the field celebrants began filling chairs arranged in a huge circle. Inside the circle, featured Drums were setting up, Eyabay, NDN Creek, Young Kingbird, Kingbird Singers, Bear Clan, P-Town Boyz, and Eagle Clan.

Outside the circle near the parking area were information booths about Ojibwemowin Revitalization Programs being sponsored by the tribe. One highly visible booth distributed information and applications for the new Head Start Immersion School scheduled to begin in September. Advisors for the program Francis Miller and Elizabeth "Pug" Kingbird staffed it.

Small Ojibwemowin dictionaries and questionnaires regarding Red Lake Nation Constitutional Reform were handed out as one entered the field. Off to one far corner of the circle sat Red Lake's newly elected Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Sr., who shared stories with a steady stream of visitors and well-wishers.

This was the third in a series of Ojibwemowin Celebrations. The first at Ponemah was held in June 2013, and the second was held at Little Rock last August during the Ojibwe culture and language camp for kids

The Feast and Give-away (as the others) was sponsored by Red Lake Chemical Health, and Economic Development,. This particular celebration was in honor of Chi-Ma'iingan (Larry Stillday), a tireless worker, supporter and key participant in Ojibwemowin and culture revitalization. Stillday passed just weeks before on May 20, 2014.

Drum songs preceded words offered by elders and first speakers. Dancing ensued - some in regalia, some not - as emcee Murphy Thomas assigned songs alternating the seven celebrated Drums.

Chairman Seki was called on first to offer words to those assembled. Speaking briefly, as is his manner, he expressed his strong support for Ojibwemowin revitalization appropriately in Ojibwe, his first language, and then repeated his message in English.

Justin Beaulieu spoke next inviting all Red Lake members to fill out questionnaires on Red Lake's Constitutional Reform initiative. "The Constitution Reform Initiative Committee wants to hear from members of each community in order to ensure that the drafting of a New Red Lake Constitution accurately reflects the voice of the Red Lake Nation," said Beaulieu.

Francis Miller spoke inviting members to learn more about the Head Start Ojibwemowin Immersion School starting in the fall. Elder/first speakers Anna Gibbs and Mary Lou Stillday flanked her as she spoke. Red Lake Immersion School Project Partners include: Red Lake School District; Red Lake Head Start; Red Lake Nation College; Niigaane Immersion School.

"For the Immersion Classroom, Zack Mitteness will be the lead teacher," said Liz White of Red Lake Economic Development. "Interviews will be conducted for the other teaching position and our elders, Fran (Miller) & Pug (Kingbird), will be there for guidance. Liz Strong is the Program Coordinator and I am the Family Coordinator for the program."

The Ojibwemowin Revitalization Advisory Committee consists of; Elizabeth "Pug" Kingbird, Frances Miller, Anna Gibbs, Susan Johnson, Mary Lou Stillday, Eliza Johnson, Murphy Thomas, Eugene Stillday, Donald Iceman Sr., Violet Patterson, Arnold Kingbird, Greeting Spears, Lee Whitefeather, Carol Barrett and John Barrett.

Just before dusk, emcee Murphy Thomas asked for an honor song for the family of Larry Stillday. The family gathered and danced about the circle in a tight family group, as the beat of Eyabay lifted spirits, and memories of Chi-Ma'iingan ran through the minds of many in attendance.

A giveaway closed out the event with everyone in attendance receiving at least one gift; blankets and pillows, basketballs and electronic games, small tool kits and kitchen items, were among the many and varied gifts. Then all danced, a giveaway song all raising their gifts in unison at the appropriate time.

Chi-Ma'iingan on Ojibwemowin Revitalization

December 17, 2013 at Seven Clans Casino Language Summit

Larry Stillday/Chi-Ma'iingan, honored at this celebration, was an Ojibwemowin first speaker with extensive knowledge on traditions, medicine wheel, and sweat lodge teachings. He walked with many, teaching about the Gifts of the Seven Grandfathers, and using the Medicine Wheel as a symbol...a teaching tool...for Wellness, Balance and the Circle of Life. His teachings still live.

"Our language and culture go hand in hand. The Creator made everything in creation to always grow as a system of circles and cycles. Gichi-Manidoo (Great Spirit) put in place a set of principles, laws and values for all life forms to live by and guide our earth journey. Anything that has life must abide by these principles. Gichi-Manidoo put those lessons everywhere in nature."

"Our language comes from actions at the beginning of time. It goes back to our creation story where Nanabozho and Ma'iingan, then companions, put our language in nature by naming everything on earth, giving everything an Ojibwe name. Therefore our language is in nature. Our language is there, and it is still alive. Our language is very powerful when we use it in the Circle."

"Start to listen to the things of nature. Our language is in nature and consequently is still in us. Listen to what your heart is talking about. I learn by observing. I watch and then I understand me. When you learn this, everything is alive. If nature is alive then our language is alive.

"The basis of all our teachings is Bimadiziwin, the Circle of Life,"

"The Seven Teachings have long been part of our language. Gichi-Manidoo gave us a way to think and live, and they too are on the Medicine Wheel. To the East is ndwaakawin (wisdom), to the South is minwaadendamowin (respect), to the West is aakodewewin (bravery/courage), to the North gwekowaadiziwin (honesty), at the top is debwewin (truth), below is dibaadendiziwin (humility), and at the center is zaagi'idiwin (love). These are the principles that we need to live by."

"Where do we start? We need to start like a child. Our ancestors knew every part of the development of a child and had rites of passage ceremonies."

"Why? What happened? We don't know. But quit teaching that we have lost something. We haven't lost anything! These are our teachings! These are our ceremonies! We still have these ceremonies."

"We are doing as our ancestors did. The people were asked, and then all came together and pooled their wisdom. We're not closing, we are just beginning. Thank you for sharing with me."

Red Lake Nation Language Revitalization Plan, Vision and Mission

It is our vision that within 10 years Red Lake will have a younger generation of fluent speakers that promote the language and culture in our communities and act as leaders for the next seven generations. It is our mission to promote this vision through an immersion school as well as through a variety of other initiatives.