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 “ The Bear” (1975) by the late Anishinini Anishinaabe (Oji-Cree) Medicine painter Carl Ray. The bear is wearing three medicine pouches around his neck signifying his legendary magic healing powers. MAKWA MANIDOO: Spirit of the Bear. Nooke is the name used for Makwa doodem, the Anishinaabe Bear Clan. Makwa the bear is a powerful and respected bawaagan (grandfather-appearing-indreams), who chose the earth walk as a spiritual leader in order to show the People the way into the dream world and teach their mashkikiiwininiwag (Medicine People) the medicinal use of herbs. As bears personify their lodge, members of the Midewiwin perform makomiikana “(following of) the bear path” rituals in order to advance from a lower to a higher degree in their society. Of all the seven Sacred Teachings, the virtue of aakode’ewin (bravery) was deemed especially meaningful, for, as the Elders tell us, being brave is not about being audacious or acting the most daring or mighty, but being brave enough to incorporate all other teachings into one’s life, even if that means standing alone in the community. Makwa was therefore chosen to represent the law of Bravery and to represent the Warrior doodem, in charge of defense. They are the police force and the medics of their Nation. The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014 68
The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014 _________________________________________________________________________________________ “Ninge, Nimanaaji’enim (“Honoring my Mother”) , acrylic on canvas 24” x 24” by Simone mcleod/Akiegwaniizid. Since time immemorial makwag (bears) are dreamed of as offering to give medicines for the healing of man. With regard to herb medicine, Makwa is considered by the herb specialists of the Anishinaabeg as ogimaa (leader) of all animals, which means that if someone dreams of a bear he or she was chosen by the bear to be expert in the use of medicine made from plants and berries for curing illness. And it is Makwa who guards the eastern door of the Midewigaan, the ceremonial lodge of the MIDEWIWIN, as he protects the healing ceremonies and sacred rituals that are being performed inside the lodge. Midewiwin members, in order to advance from a lower to a higher degree in their society, follow the bear path and in doing so, actually temporarily transform into a bear. See also: MIDEWIWIN, page 96). The above painting is a tribute to Simone’s late mother who was a fourth grade member Mide. The artist says the following about the painting: “My mother often shared things from her childhood and talked to me about ceremonies from back home. This began when I was very young and I was ignorant as to what she meant, at times thinking that she was not of sound mind. When I was late in my teen years and life was becoming so hard for me to even want to wake in the mornings, she took me to my first ceremony where her people are from. It was there that I found out who the grandfathers knew as Aki-egwaniizid (all that covers the earth). It was there when I realized that I belonged surrounded by learning and understanding and growing in more ways than I could ever imagine. She also used to speak of wanting to gather many miigis shells in which to make a jingle dress. She was a caring woman with many passions and one of those passions was for teaching. While our paths together were at times full of trial and error, she gave me so much of herself and I just did not understand until she passed into the spirit world. The bear skin she wears across her back represents a beautiful story I heard about a bear who rose out of the water with miigis shells clinging to his fur. When I heard this story I thought of her and painted it into the painting. I have learned so much about myself when I took that Journey to Dawn Land, the most important thing was that she gave me life and together we walked side by side. I choose to learn from what she taught me that was done through actions …I do my best now to walk the path she made for me and will do my best to show my children this path as well.” Click on image. _________________________________________________________________________________________ The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014 69
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The Universe Of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg, an illustrated glossary by Zhaawano Giizhik*

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