The Universe Of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg, an illustrated glossary by Zhaawano Giizhik*

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The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014 MISHIIKENH (MIKINAAK, MISKWAADESI): the mud turtle, respectively snapping turtle and painted turtle, three related aadizoogaanag (spirit grandfathers), who were appointed as the chief bearers of good dreams and ideals from the spirit world, and who taught the Anishinaabeg healing and communication. Having served mankind by offering his back as a refuge to the supernatural creator Giizhigookwe (Sky Woman), and by lending his shell for the re-creation of Anishinaabe Aki (the world), the turtle, as a token of appreciation, was endowed with unique powers, enabling him to interchange his physical and incorporeal qualities, and travel backward and forward in time. MISHI MIKINAAKOMINIS NIIGIWIN, Birth of the Great Turtle Island, pen and ink drawing by Zhaawano Giizhik The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014 120
The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014 Mishiikenh, or Mikinaak, teaches the Ojibwe Anishinaabeg healing and communication with the Mystery World. Although physically the slowest of all creatures, he/she symbolizes swiftness of the mind and is regarded as a master of communication (of thought). For this reason the jaasakiidjig, the Mide-specialists often referred to as Shaking Tent Seers, and who claim to draw their spiritual healing power from the Thunder Beings, elected the turtle as their patron (see also MIDEWIWIN, page 96). Tradition has it that a long, long time ago disaster fell upon the world in the form of a great flood, which killed the plants and all land creatures, including mankind. The island that was created afterwards by GIIZHIGOOKWE (a female spirit who resided in the skies) who, with the aid of Wazashk (muskrat) and Ma'íingan (wolf), made it grow on the back of Mikinaak, or Mishiikenh as he is called by some, along with new flora and fauna, is still being called TURTLE ISLAND by most Original Americans. “The first mother of the Anishinaabeg was once an AADIZOKAAN, a supernatural being residing alone in the sky. GICHI-MANIDOO, the Creator of Earth and Skies, pitying GIIZHIGOOKWE’s loneliness, sent a male aadizookaan to Sky Woman to keep her company. ANIMIKII (Thunder), for that was his name, traveled to the sky lodge of GIIZHIGOOKWE and from the union that took place (rumor has it that Sky Woman showed her lover every hole and corner of the universe) were born the ANISH-I-NAAB- EG (a twin brother and sister), whom she planned to place on the back of a giant MIKINAAK (snapping turtle). “The Flood” by the late Roy Thomas (Ojibwe Medicine Art painter) The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014 121
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The Universe Of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg, an illustrated glossary by Zhaawano Giizhik*

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