Aamjiwnaang E-maawizidijik hosts Wab Kinew

By Marina Plain

The developing Aamjiwnaang E-maawizidijik Heritage and Culture Club, along with the Book Keeper Bookstore in Sarnia, hosted author Wab Kinew in Aamjiwnaang on Oct. 14 which saw over 200 people in attendance.

Kinew was in Sarnia to do a talk and book signing to promote his bestselling book “The Reason you walk”. The book is non-fiction and based on his experiences and life’s journey with his father Tobasonakwut Kinew. The journey explores his many work experiences, his father’s residential school experience, the relationship he had with the Roman Catholic Church, and his own fatherhood and other intriguing highlights of being Anishnaabe in 2015.

Our Aamjiwnang club is a group of 12, like-minded community members who are striving to develop and sustain cultural resources such as natural environment, teaching such as the medicine wheel, language, arts etc. It was initiated by Marina Plain. The group is a precedent in Aamjiwnaang, as there are no Elders that recall a group like this in existence locally. Aamjiwnaang E-maawizidijik is a non-funded independent community group that started with a five dollar donation from Wilson Plain Sr. who is also a member of the group.

The mission statement is: “To plan events that will rekindle our identity language, way of life; while striving to sustain our cultural resources. Anishnaabemowin translation: Naakinegewinan Dibaadjimowin Wii naakinegeyaan owaa namkamigak eshi bimaadiziwiiying epiichi wiikojitooyingwii aaswaakwa`igemang kiinwi gda Aadiziwin’naa dinjigewinan” –translated by James Shawana.

Aamjiwnaang E-maawizidijik’s  next project will be language revitalization for our community. If anyone is interested in helping us pursue Anishnabemowin resources contact Marina Plain via email at mdplain@gmail.com