Anishinabek Nation staff celebrate Anishinaabe Giizhigad with ‘good medicine’
By Mary Zoccole
FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION — On June 6, the Anishinabek Nation celebrates Anishinabe Gizhigaad (Anishinaabe Day), the national holiday. The Anishinabek Nation staff at the For William First Nation Satellite Office spent the day beautifying the entryway of its office.
Over time, the garden beds became overgrown with weeds and were in serious need of some care — it took the whole morning to remove all of the weeds (while also feeding the mosquitos)!
The design of the flowerbeds was carefully thought-out. The first garden bed was designed as a Medicine Wheel — rocks were gathered and placed in a circle with four quadrants. Perennial flowers were carefully selected in the four colours; white, yellow, red, and black (represented by violets), and planted in the four directions.
“The Medicine Wheel will remind us daily of where our roots lie. This Wheel will remind us of the work that we are doing for us as we enter the office, to keep us grounded and never forget where we come from,” says one staff member.
The second flowerbed is the Every Child Matters garden. Vibrant orange day lilies were planted to honour the children that never returned home from the Indian Residential Schools and the Survivors who are still experiencing the trauma from their time there and are on their healing journey. Space was left in the flower bed to plant our sacred medicines like tobacco and sage in the future.
During the afternoon, a representative from the Thunder Bay—Superior North Lise Vaugeois Member of Provincial Parliament office, Dawson Mihichuk, Constituency Assistant, stopped in to deliver a Certificate of Recognition to commemorate Anishinaabe Giizhigad.
The day was filled with good medicine — working together, sharing stories and teachings, all while building our relationship with each other, and connecting with the land and our sister plants by getting our hands dirty.
Now, the Anishinabek Nation Fort William First Nation Satellite Office entrance is transformed into a more beautiful, welcoming space.
The Anishinabek Nation, staff, and E’Dbendaagzijig also celebrated Anishinaabe Giizhigad with host community Curve Lake First Nation where they shared in teachings, storytelling, feasting, and much, much more!
Anishinaabe Giizhigad commemorates the proclamation of the Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin and the adoption of the Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe on June 6, 2012. The day also honours Anishinaabe identity, history, traditions, pride, and people!
Happy Anishinaabe Ghizigaad from the staff of Anishinabek Nation! Mno-waawiindandaa Anishinaabe Giizhigad — let’s celebrate Anishinaabe Day!