Living Our Language: Ojibwe Tales and Oral Histories

Porky White

Porky White 230 231 Walter “Por ky” White (b. 1919), whose Indian name is Gegwedakamigishkang (Prancing Horse), is, like his nephew Hartley, a prominent leader in recent efforts to revitalize the Ojibwe language and culture at Leech Lake. Even as an octogenarian and having endured a recent stroke, he travels tirelessly throughout the United States and Canada to teach, lead, and participate in traditional Ojibwe religious ceremonies, pow-wows, and educational forums. Like most people of his generation at Sugar Point, Porky grew up immersed in the Ojibwe language and culture. Yet, even at a very young age he exhibited unique qualities that foreshadowed his current role as a spiritual leader among the Ojibwe. Porky constantly sought the company of his namesake—a Civil War veteran and widely respected elder. The fact that Porky is old enough to have known veterans of the Civil War is remarkable enough. However, the fact that even as a boy he actively sought their company is even more impressive. His namesake was called Gaag, meaning Porcupine, and they spent so much time together that people called them “Old Man Porcupine” and “Little Porky.” Porky was fortunate in that he was able to attend day school at Sugar Point rather than boarding school, as did most of his peers. He certainly seemed to benefit both culturally and emotionally from the experience. p o r k y w h i t e 232 In addition to a great deal of serious learning, however, Porky knew how to have fun. He was an impressive pow-wow singer and frequently traveled to camp, sing, and dance. Porky was eager to test his manhood in other ways as well. When America plunged into World War II, he enlisted in the United States army. For Porky and many of his contemporaries, military service was an extension of old warrior traditions and a subject of great pride. Upon returning home, he continued to travel, sing, and dance. He began a more earnest effort to settle down and find work as well. He worked at a car wash and other odd jobs on the reservation and in Minneapolis , where he eventually settled for a good share of his adult life. In the late 1960s, the American Indian Movement began to fight for Indian -controlled education of Indian youth. The Red School House sprang up in Minneapolis, and Porky served there for twenty years as a teacher, advisor, and cultural coordinator. In his retirement, Porky lives with his wife in Rosemount, Minnesota, and travels extensively to provide his services as an advisor and practitioner of Ojibwe religious ceremonies. He is a regular figure at Leech Lake pow-wows, language camps, and educational forums. The battle for Ojibwe language and culture continues to sustain him. p o r k y w h i t e 233 Gegwe-dakamigishkang Gaagiigido [1] Boozhoo. Gegwe-dakamigishkang indizhinikaaz. Maang indoodem. Niiwing azhigwa nimidew. Gaazagaskwaajiimekaag indoonjibaa. Imbaabaa, Baadwewidang, gii-midewi. Gii-oshkaabewisiwi imaa midewing, giiwiidookawaad iniw akiwenziiyan midewing. Gii-oshkaabewisiwi dibishkoo mii go gaye niin noongom ezhi-anokiiyaan. Indooshkaabewisiw. Gabe-zhigwa imbi-gikenimigoo ji-gikendamaan o’ow akeyaa midewiwin. Aanishinaa, o’ow niibing, niibing azhigwa indizhichige o’ow isa izhichigeyaan, wiidookawag sa niijanishinaabe gagwejimid gegoo akeyaa waa-gikendang o’ow isa akeyaa midewiwin. [2] Inashke o’ow midewing gaawiin awiiya gidaa-bagidinaasii ji-gikendang. Giimoodad. Gaawiin gaye awiiya, anooj awiiya, gidaa-inaasii weweni eta go ji-bizindaman gegoo, ezhigikenimigooyan weweni ji-gikendaman ezhi-atemagak o’ow isa akeyaa, o’ow midewiwin. [3] Naa dewe’iganan ingii-miinigoog ingiw bwaanag. Naa a’aw opwaagan, mii gii-miinigooyaan igaye. Naa opwaagan ingiimiinigoo . Naa awiiya gwiiwizensiwi-dewe’igan imbimiwinaa. Mii azhigwa ishwaaso-niibinagak bimiwinag a’aw gwiiwizens. A’aw opwaagan mii azhigwa ashi-niiyo-biboonagak zhigwa bimiwinag indoopwaagan. Aa bwaan abezhig, niijakiwenzii, ingii-miinig iniw opwaaganan. Mii gaaizhitwaad niijakiwenzii ji-miinaasig awiiya opwaaganan jiaabaji ’aad giishpin misawendang gegoo biidinamawaad ji-aabaji’aad. Mii gii-pi-ikidod niijakiwenzii. Gaawiin ingiiadaawesii a’aw indoopwaagan. Ingii-pi-miinig niijakiwenzii iniw opwaaganan. [4] A’aw niijakiwenzii ingii-pi-mawidisig ji-miizhid gashkibidaagan. Mii sa gii-paakaakonamaan i’iw gashkibidaagan, mii imaa waabamag a’aw opwaagan abid. Mii imaa ezhi-ikidod a’aw akiwenzii, “Mii moozhag eni-aabaji’ad a’aw gidoopwaagan, oon ji-inaakonigeyan, mii i’iw wenji-miinigooyan.” Mii gii-pi-igoowaad niizh bwaanag, ininiwag wiijikiweg. Bezhig opwaaganan gaamiizhid , gii...