Video Title: The Path to Anishinaabe Aadziwin: The Red Road Elder and Kenjgewin Teg Knowledge Keeper Gordon Waindubence, Sheguiandah First Nation Time: 00:29:50 Language Spoken: Anishinaabemowin Synopsis: An Anishinaabe Elder discusses that finding one’s Aadziwin is an individual’s personal responsibility. He takes us along on his journey of discovering his Aadziwin - Red Road Path gained through teachings, sharing by the Elders, the Sundance and his personal sacred items. He shares briefly the challenge of learning Anishinaabemowin. Key Words: Anishinaabemowin, Aadziwin, Bimaadzawin, Elders, Residential School, teachings (Gikinoo’amaagoowin), ceremony (Zagaswe’idiwag) Video Title: Sharing Knowledge through Storytelling Elder: Steven George, Wiikwemikong Time: 00:06:24 Language Spoken: Anishinaabemowin Synopsis: Humour has always been considered a powerful healing tool in many Indigenous cultures. This video clip centers on a series of storytelling regarding the Anishinabek’s way of life. Steven recalls the short yet humorous and informative tale of “Why the Dog Sniffs other Dogs’ Tails.” Key Words: Anishinaabe, Aadizooke (storytelling); Aadizookewimini (storyteller)
Video Title: Language is Bimaadzaawin Knowledge Keeper: Anton Treuer, Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University, Minnesota Time: 00:13:36 Language Spoken: Anishinaabemowin with English translation Synopsis: The importance of learning one’s mother tongue is their Bimaadzaawin, the way of life and the definition of who they are. Learning with Heart connects a person emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually to their Ancestors and Spirits of the Land. This video clip includes many tools with which to learn one’s language. Key Words: Bimaadzaawin (living a good life), Anishinaabemowin (our language), identity, language, resources, Aanikoobjigan (Ancestors)
Video Title: Where are you from? Elder: Josephine Shawande, Wiikwemikong_ Time: 00:14:50 Language Spoken: Anishinaabemowin Synopsis: In the “old days” everyone walked with their Indian name. Traditional names revealed much information about people and their communities. Josephine shares her memories of those days. Key Words: Indian names, family lineages, Old Days, traditions
Video Title: Tikwaanz - The Dead Branch Knowledge Keeper: Dr. Brian McInnis Time: 00:14:43 Language Spoken: Anishinaabemowin with English translation Synopsis: An interesting story of the Tikwaanz – “The Dead Branch” – of how being in right relationship with the natural medicines and having the power of belief can equate to survival in dangerous situations. Key Words: Tikwaanz, storytelling (Aadizooke), Bravery - Aakode’ewin, belief, survival, natural medicines
Video Title: Grandmothers (Nookomsuk) Learning the Language Elders: June Commanda and Marlene Barnes, Nipissing First Nation Time: 00:09:25 Language Spoken: English Synopsis: Nookomisuk share how having a strong desire, a willingness and commitment are key ingredients for learning. Together, they give many tips on studying one’s language as well as providing teacher resources for teaching both children and adults. Key Words: Nookomsuk (Grandmothers), Anishinaabemowin (our language), teacher resources, key ingredients
Video Title: An Anishinaabe Kwe’s Dream Elder: Elaine Debassige, M’Chigeeng First Nation Time: 00:08:40 Language Spoken: English Synopsis: Elaine recounts how being raised by her grandparents was the stepping stone that initiated her journey in materializing her dream of working with the language. Key Words: Anishinaabemowin (our language), dream (naabndamwin), binoojiiyens (babies)
Video Title: Niibi – An Essential Natural Resource Elder: Alma-Jean Migwans, M’Chigeeng First Nation Time: 00:11:56 Language Spoken: Anishinaabemowin Synopsis: An Anishinaabe Elder shares her personal perspective of how she believes Economics overshadows the value of water, its meaning and requirement to sustain all of Life. Key Words: Anishinaabemowin (our language), Nibi (water), Economics, Great Lakes, water
Video Title: How visiting (Nboowaachwe) encourages Anishinaabemowin Elder Elizabeth Panamick, M’Chigeeng First Nation Time: 00:04:47 Language spoken: Anishinaabemowin Synopsis: A reminder of how living traditionally and socializing (nboowaachwe) influences and encourages the use of Anishinaabemowin. Key Words: Nboowaachwe (socializing) , Anishinabemowin (our language), crafts, socializing
Video Title: Technology as a useful language resource Elder Barbara Pitwanakwat, Wiikwemikong Time: 00:02:23 Language spoken: English Synopsis: Growing up not hearing Anishinaabemowin in the home to using technology to teach it to her sons. Key Words: technology, Anishinaabemowin (our language), Residential School
Video Title: Robinson-Huron Treaty 1850 Elder Raymond Owl, Sagamok Anishinabek Time: 00:15:13 Language spoken: Anishinaabemowin Synopsis: A candid account of the Robinson-Huron Treaty 1850 and the abusive actions being taken not in accordance with the Treaty. Mankind are the caretakers of the Earth and its natural resources. Both native and non-native officials need to work together. Key Words: Seven Grandfathers, natural resources, ground-spraying, Robinson-Huron Treaty 1850, Nokoming
Video Title: Concern with Natural Resources Elder Willie Pine, Garden River Time: 00:02:59 Language spoken: Anishinaabemowin Synopsis: Concern over the misuse of our natural resources, especially the waters concerns this Elder. The value of Economics outweighs that which sustains life. Key Words: Nibi (water), caretakers, Anishinaabemowin tradition, ecology
Video Title: Kenebec and the Serpent River Train Bridge Elder Orval Commanda, Serpent River First Nation Time: 00:16:00 Language Spoken: English Synopsis: Orval shares the different tales and stories he received about the collapse of the Serpent River train bridge. He particularly recalls the tale of Kenebec – the serpent and how it contributed to the collapse of the bridge. Orval also shares how he learned the way of Nature through hunting and trapping. Key Words: Serpent (Kenebec), Serpent River Train Bridge Collapse, storytelling (Aadizooke), hunting (nooji’), trapping (wanii’ige), Nature, Bimaadzawin (good life)
Video Title: A Simple Life Elder Gene Bebamash, M’Chigeeng First Nation Time: 00:01:05 Language Spoken: Anishinaabemowin Synopsis: An Anishinaabe Elder takes us back to his young years and recalls that everything was gathered from the land and shared within the community. Everyone helped each other whether it was gardening, planting, haying, or harvesting. He shares how life was simple and survival was a community affair and effort. Key Words: old ways, traditional, Aadziwin (way of life)
Video Title: Unity amongst Indigenous and Non-indigenous People Elder Glen Hare, M’Chigeeng First Nation, Deputy Grand Chief, Union of Ontario Indians Time: 00:49:33 Language Spoken: Anishinaabemowin with English Translation Synopsis: Self-governance, the Constitution, Rights and Responsibilities has been in debate for many years in the Anishinaabek Nations. Deputy Grand Chief Glenn Hare shares a vivid, factual array of personal perspectives on many First Nation issues including policing, housing, governance, lack of water in communities and child welfare, etc. He speaks candidly about the meaning of “constitution” within communities and how it promotes a stronger, healthier framework. He stresses the importance of unity between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and working alongside each other. Key Words: Anishinaabemowin (our language), constitution (Chinaaknigewin), Creator (Debenjdagit), governance, Nibi (water), Ensegiizhgat (everyday), politics, Operation Rainbow, natural resources, unity
Video Title: The Migizi (Eagle) Elder Bill Antoine, Sheshegwaning First Nation Time: 00:11:33 Language Spoken: Anishinaabemowin with English Translation Synopsis: An interesting creation story of how the Turkey Vulture (Buzzard) came to be. The story is also related to the importance of respecting those designated as leaders. Bill shares his understanding of the meaning and pronunciation of the word, Anishinaabe and how it is an individual’s responsibility to “wake up” the language within themselves. Key Words: Anishinaabemowin, Migizi (Eagle), teachings (Gikinoo’amaagoowin), Kushkoose, respect (Minwaadendamowin)
Video Title: Attitude is Relevant Elder Gene Cada, Sheshegwaning First Nation Time: 00:05:43 Language Spoken: Anishnabemowin Synopsis: It is all about the attitude towards learning a language that is most relevant as this teacher explains. Even if one doesn’t understand it, you just have to listen to the language and it will come to you. Key Words: Anishinaabemowin (our language), binoojiinzhns (our children), attitude
Video Title: Culture: The Greatest Teacher Elder Florrie Sutherland, Constance Lake First Nation Time: 00:13:09 Language Spoken: Anishinaabemowin Synopsis: A recollection of days gone by growing up with her grandparents and being taught her culture, traditional foods, medicines, etc. She fondly remembers the men returning home from the hunt and the sharing of their bounty with the community. Key Words: Hunting, sharing, Nookomis (Grandmother), Mishoomis (Grandfather) Video Title: Wild Horses and the Bush (Tikwaake) Elder and Kenjgewin Teg Knowledge Keeper, Gloria Oshkawbewisens-McGregor, Whitefish River First Nation Time: 00:09:36 Language Spoken: English Synopsis: Growing up in the bush with wild horses. This Anishinaabe Kwe shares several different memories from her childhood when nature was her playground. She gives details of what it means to have a relationship with the land and to experience the comfort and safety that it provides. Key Words: storytelling, wild horses, bush (tikwaake), nature, Wiidaadookaanuk (clown society)
Video Title: Living with the Land Elder Susan Manitowabi, Wiikwemikong Unceded Territory Time: 00:16:04 Language Spoken: English Synopsis: Take a walk through the “old ways” life with a Kwezens who was taught by her Mishoomis and Nookomis. Her story takes us from picking berries throughout the seasons to receiving a higher education and life in between. The promise she made to Nookomis and how it has carried her through life. Key Words: storytelling (Aadzikooke), teachings, Nookomis (Grandmother), grandparents, history, identity, memories, Anishinaabe kwe , naadzid (to have a certain way of life)
Video Title: Humour and Laughter are Great Teachers Elders Ted Corbiere and Peter Migwans, M’Chigeeng First Nation Time: 00:24:14 Language Spoken: Anishinaabemowin Synopsis: Living in two worlds requires learning two languages. Even though there are different dialects and words within a language – one can always understand another – even if through humour and laughter. One’s language encompasses everything within a culture. Key Words: Anishinaabemowin (_______), dialects, humour, laughter, mother tongue, Mishoomsuk (______)