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

The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014
A traditional story about how Sky
Woman recreated the earth
“The first mother of the Anishinaabeg was
once an AADIZOKAAN, a supernatural
being residing alone in the sky. Her name
was GIIZHIGOOKWE, or Sky Woman.
GICHI-MANIDOO, the Creator of Earth and
Skies, pitying her 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).
But first GIIZHIGOOKWE had to convince
MIKINAAK to lend his back to the recreation
of the world, because at that time
the world was inundated with water below
her and most animals had been drowned in
the Great Flood that had hit the First
World. As Sky Woman noticed that a few animals had survived the flood she called to her aid the giant turtle.
He came to the surface so that she could sit on his back and call others to her side. Maang (the loon), Amik
(the beaver), Nigig (the otter), and Wajashk (the little muskrat) were among her helpers.
That day, long ago, after she had descended from her sky lodge to the newly-created world in the shape of a
turtle’s shell, dancing all the way down in a sacred manner, GIIZHIGOOKWE spoke to the water animals as
follows:
'I don't have all the powers of creation that GICHI-MANIDOO has. But I am a female spirit and I have a special
gift. I have the power to recreate. I can recreate the world GICHI-MANIDOO created, but I can't do it by
myself. I need your help. I need you to dive deep. I need you to bring me a handful of the original soil made by
GICHI-MANIDOO. The soil will be the seed I use to recreate the Earth.’
Cllick on the above image to view details of the collar necklace designed and handcrafted by Zhaawano Giizhik.
All day long the water animals took turns trying to reach the soil covered by the great depth of water but to no
avail. At the end of the day it was only Wajashk the little muskrat, not used to swimming in deep water, who
had not given it a try. The brave little animal decided that with no one else available to help it was up to him to
do the job. He took many deep breaths and dived down and down."
As he finally came back to the surface Wajashk had clutched in his paw the soil from
the bottom of the sea. Gratefully GIIZHIGOOKWE took the soil, dried it and breathed
life into it, then rubbed it on the turtle's back. She rubbed the soil round and round
and as she did so an island took shape above the water. GIIZHIGOOKWE continued
to move over the new soil. She walked in wider and wider circles; some say it took
her 14 summers to complete the job. And so the Earth was recreated. Forever after
the Anishinaabeg called the world MIKINAAK-OO-MINIS, or Turtle Island.
Once the new island was complete, GIIZHIGOOKWE nurtured the twins to manhood
and womanhood, and then, as her purpose and nature were finally fulfilled, she
danced her sacred dance upward into the fading light of the sky. Here, after she had reached the moon, she
changed her name in WEZAAWI-GIIZHIGOOKWE, Yellow Sky Woman, and she became known as NOOKOMIS
DIBIK-GIIZIS, Grandmother Moon. From here on, Nookomis Moon watched over her children by night; by day
MISHOOMIS GIIZIS (the Sunfather) and OMIZAKAMIGOOKWE (the Earthmother) took care of them. And
Nookomis’ existence, her gift of life, and the primacy of women are still remembered by the Anishinaabeg each
time Dibik-giizis, the Night Sun shines on their precious island-home.”
The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014
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