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Aaiin!
Boozhoo, anishinaabekwe izinikaazo
Oziisigobiningh Manedoo
onjo Anishinabe Mississippi Band
To those of you who may speak Anighinaabe my apologies for my poor grammar.
Roughly translated that means:
Welcome!
Hello, I am the Ojibway woman
called
Willow Spirit
from the Nation of Original Man, the Mississippi Band.
What is an Ojibway?
The Ojibway Nation is one of the largest although most diverse nations of American Indians native to the Midwest USA and southern Canada. Also known as Ojibwa, Ojibwe, Shinob, Ojibwey, Ojibwig, and most popular Chippewa. We are one of the largest remaining groups of Native Americans, mother nation to Saulteaux, Ottawa, Potawatomi, Chepeway, Achipoes, Ochipoy, Otchipwe, Bungee, Wyandot, Cree, and Satoe tribes among many others. Current population is believed to be over 200,000 strong. Although we are not among the best known of the American tribes we are indeed one of the most influential left in the United States. The Ojibwa have signed more treaties with the United States than any other.
Born to a Caucasian mother and mixed Native and Caucasian Father later adopted into a Scandinavian family my native heritage was a deep dark secret, but as many other natives adopted outside the tribal community prior to the Indian Child Welfare Act, no one had to tell me what I was, once stepping foot upon the
White Earth reservation , I knew there was a connection with these people. It was not until many years later that my affiliation with that particular tribe and band became known.
I am in NO way an expert of Indian affairs, I can only tell you as a mixed Native American I have some very strong opinion on the rights and privileges of the people, not all popular with either the Caucasian nor Native peoples. But when have I ever followed the beaten path??? A few of my pet peeves and choice issues are:
1. I do not believe that by accident of my birth I am entitled to special privileges nor
a stipend from the US Government . I did not personally sign any treaties nor suffer a forced move to a reservation. The honor of those things belong to my ancestors. I will make my own mark like any other American.
2. I expect and deserve the respect of the new comers to this country, of all races,
this is our country and we share it with you. But never forget you are on OUR block.
3. I can not give my complete support to the
Indian Child Welfare Act ,
children of ALL races should be adopted by the best families available to them regardless of the race, color, or cultures involved. BUT as an adoptive parent and an adoptee I would plead with all adoptive parents, teach your children pride in who and what they are! My feelings are more along the line of those of the
Sioux Chief Sitting Bull and apply to all the world's children.
4. The United States is a melting pot of all races and cultures each special in its own right. Cultural practices should be respected by all peoples no matter which culture they belong to. The laws of this country should apply equally to all peoples regardless of nationality.....meaning harsher sentences for any minority is a crime against us all, and special treatment afforded based upon culture are as well.
5. When a cultural right is fought for and won, it should be treated with respect.....one case in point the
Makah Tribe whale hunt . Although the tribe awarded the right to hunt the whale, is not my own, I doubt that the ancestors who began the tradition of hunting the whale, used speed boats, rifles, or cell phones any more than mine did, the ceremony of hunting the whale was not honored and the right won to have it tarnished by the lack of tradition used in the process....if you ask for a traditional privilege....follow tradition to do it!
6. I believe the right to hunt the whale should not be a right that requires a court hearing to be done. As the The Whale species in question has been removed from the endangered species list, following the cutural life of whale hunting should not have been an issue. Whales are beautiful magnificent creatures,
the whale watching park in the San Juan Islands is one of the most peaceful places on earth. But as human beings we evolved and suddenly think we know what is ecologically correct by virtue of ???? Opposing thumbs? The prehistoric animals became extinct making room for new creatures to evolve, by artificially re-populating the whales are we preventing another creature from evolving as they should?? (I am NOT advocating the slaughter of Whales!) No creature should be hunted for sport, and any creature killed for need should be used in its entirety, ie....the entire elephant not just the tusks! Nor should any creature be artificially maintained. Let
Mother Earth
make the decisions of evolution.
7.
AIM: the American Indian Movement
Great group in theory. I agree completely in the education of our people in the old ways, any
culture lost is a loss to all mankind . The languages, customs and traditions of all cultures should be preserved. BUT I can not agree with the remember
Wounded Knee
war cry mentality, remember it yes, use it as a war cry NO. Violence breeds violence. Remember all the injustices of our history but don't use them to continue the cycle of violence. It was one man's war cry of remember
Waco
that created the need to remember
Oklahoma City
.
8. I do support the renaming of many places and organizations currently bearing
derogitory "Indian" names , and think most people would, if they truly understood what they meant. But lets be reasonable! If it is not a derogatory term, leave it alone! We do not own the language or the images associated with our culture!
Links:
Examples of Ojibway Mythology :
Where Dogs Came From
---
Father of the Corn
---
How a Fly Saved the River
Beautiful Native site
With Web Ring Links
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This page is dedicated to Winnie, who gave me my Native name and taught me pride in my heritage. Thank You
