The Traditional Anishinaabe World View.pdf

The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014
Heartbeat Society) was erected there, and for the second time since the People had left
the Dawn Land the sound of the Midewiwin Grandfather Drum reverberated across the
land and the waters. Since then the Sandhill Crane, who is sometimes called
Baswenaazhi (the Echo Maker) and regarded as a symbol of eloquence and leadership,
presides over all councils.
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AKI: the land, or mother earth. Also alternatley called OMAAMAMA, NIMAAMAA-AKI,
OMIZAKAMIGOKWE, MOOSHOKAMIKWE, ASHKAAKAMIGOKWE,
GOOKOMISINAAN, and OGASHINAN. In a broader context, Aki meansworld, or
cosmos. MANIDOOKWE (Spirit Woman) is an ancient term denoting a maternal,
spiritual ancestor, referred to as the Mother Spirit, or the land.
In the old days, the Anishinaabeg, in particular the men and women belonging to the
Midewiwin (Way Of The Heartbeat Lodge), listened to the world and the manidoog and
aadizookaanag (guardian spirits) and the animals that live in it. They sought their images
and voices in ritual stories and songs and dreams and visions and depicted them on rocks
and on medicine bags, in birch bark scrolls, and on a myriad of other items and utensils.
In return the world and all the animals and spirit beings that dwell there disclosed to
these indiviuials - and their communities as a whole - essential norms and principles for
bimaadiziwn: how to live long and healthy lives (see also: ANISHINAABE
BIMAADIZIWIN and MIDEWIWIN).
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“Communication”. This outline painting by the late Ojibwe Medicine Painter Carl Ray depicts the Anishinaabe
worldview, stressing the communication, reciprocal responsibilities and mutual obligations that exist between all
life-giving and life-sustaining forces and beings of Aki, the universe.
AN AADIZOKAAN (SACRED OR TRADITIONAL STORY) ABOUT THE CREATION OF AKI (THE
UNIVERSE):
The Universe of The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg by Zhaawano Giizhik - 2014
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