Exploring the interrelation of traditions and language

By Laura Barrios

On the eve of the stand-up election scheduled to take place on June 2, 2021, Day 2 of the virtual Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Assembly, then Anishinabek Nation Head Getzit Nmishomis Gordon Waindubence explored the interrelation of traditions and language.

There was someone who once said this to me: ‘I do Pipe Ceremony in English because the Creator understands all languages.’

I said, ‘Yes, that’s true, but your grandmother and grandfather don’t and we always call upon them to assist us.’

One of the reasons why they don’t see the importance of this is because they don’t go to ceremonies; in ceremony, we are connected to our ancestors, traditions, culture through our language. When we select people who should be representing us properly, we look at their upbringing and life; plus, if they have the language. Language is very important, especially in ceremonies. This is what I ask people that go to Sunrise Ceremony or any ceremonies: Are they done in the language?

It’s the same thing that we’re doing here with a stand-up election when we select a leader to go and represent us – it will all be done in Anishinaabemowin. We started stand-up elections in 2006 within the Anishinabek Nation. We’re not counting on votes – did you know that in days past— some 25 years ago— you could buy votes? When we first did this in another community, Chiefs were scared to stand up behind a person because it’s visual. We’re a visual people us Anishinaabe. They were scared to offend their friend and didn’t want to stand behind someone else knowing that their friend could see that they were supporting someone else because they were the better leader. The transparency – the onus – was on the Chiefs.

But you know, the new Chiefs that are coming up, they have to know these things. We have to do these things again and again. One of the things that I’ve been trying to advocate that these leadership processes work. I have been trying to show through my teachings that with the Dodemaag (Clan) System, these leadership processes work, but you have to participate in those teachings in order to really feel what’s going on. You have to be involved in one of the clans; not through your corporate or institutionalized way of thinking – put that away. There are a lot of Anishinabek that don’t know their own clans; but that’s okay because there’s an adoptive clan – the Marten Clan – that will adopt you and then educate you on where you belong.

You must think as an individual, not by the way that you’ve been schooled. Think about who you are. I have been trying to educate people on the Anishinaabe way of doing things. We need to readapt to the Anishinaabe way of thinking, not the colonized way.

Nmishomis Waindubence served as the Electoral Officer during the traditional stand-up elections on June 2, 2021, ensuring that proper ceremony is upheld throughout the selection process.