Living Our Language: Ojibwe Tales and Oral Histories

Susan Jackson

Susan Jackson 202 203 Susan Jackson (b. 1925) is a perfect example of the positive effects of traditional Ojibwe living. “Niwajebaadiz,” she often says, in reference to this indisputable fact. Wajebaadizi means to be spry, peppy, and full of life. Most people don’t believe her when she tells them that she is well over seventy years old. Her body is strong, her wits are sharp, and she rarely complains of any physical condition. Susan’s parents and grandparents taught her the value of hard work and a positive demeanor through their excellent examples of good character . As a small child, Susan chopped wood, hauled water, and shoveled snow. Even today she continues in these activities because, in her opinion , daily labors are good for the mind and body alike. Susan grew up in and around the Leech Lake Reservation community of Chi-achaabaaning (Inger, Minnesota). Although there wasn’t much money in her early days, her father worked hard at several jobs and the whole family hunted ducks, snared rabbits, and harvested wild rice. The entire community was heavily involved in traditional Ojibwe religious ceremonies, and the culture united her family and community in many fundamental ways. s u s a n j a c k s o n 204 Chi-achaabaaning has been home to Susan for most of her life, from childhood to the present day. Currently she spends much of her time watching grandchildren and traveling to support her ever-growing extended family. Frequently, she is asked to lend her skills and knowledge of the Ojibwe language to assist in the instruction of reservation youth at language camps and in other forums. The second of her stories in this anthology is a recording of one of her sessions, designed to teach reservation youth about the art of snaring rabbits—from dressing for a walk in the woods to eating the victuals after harvest. With an easy laugh and a positive outlook, Susan is great company. Wajebaadiziwin, however, is only one of her endearing qualities. Humble, reserved, honest, and wise, she manifests the fruits of traditional culture and lifeways. As her knowledge of Ojibwe language and culture and her example of traditional virtue are increasingly recognized, Susan has come to be highly valued as a cultural resource for her family, community , reservation, and people. s u s a n j a c k s o n 205 Chi-achaabaan Naanaagadawendamaan [1] Inger ingii-tazhi-ondaadiz, Chi-achaabaaning ezhinikaadeg. Mii iwidi nimaamaa, miinawaa nimbaabaa gii-ayaawaad. Mii iwidi ondakaaneziwaad, gaa-onji-gikendamaan akina gegoo gii-pizindawagwaa nimaamaa miinawaa nookomis, gaye gegoo gii-kagwejimagwaa gegoo waa-izhi-gikendamaan gii-izhichigeyaan gii-ani-mindidoyaan. Miish onow namanj gii-kikendamaan gegoo i’iw. [2] Miinawaa go ingii-kagiibaadiz gii-agaashiinyiyaan iidog. Gaawiin gegoo dibishkoo go ingii-pizikendanziin ji-wiikikendamaan . Baamaash naagaj i’iwe maagizhaa gaye niizhwaasobiboonagiziyaan, miish o’ow dibishkoo giinaanaagadawendamaan ji-bizindawagwaa gegoo ekidowaad miinawaa go gegoo gikinoo’amaagooyaan ji-ani-gikendamaan. [3] Gaawiish wiin ingii-kikinoo’amaagoosii gegoo ji-gikendamaan gegoo, akina gegoo. Ingii-wiidookawaa gaa-maamaayaan aseked gaye. Mii imaa gii-kanawaabamag gii-wiidookawag. Mii imaa gaa-onji-gikendamaan i’iw waa-izhichigeyaan. Akina gegoo ingii-wiidookawaa nimaamaa. Gaawiin wiikaa gegoo gii-anokiisii nimaamaa. Mii eta go gii-chiibaakwed. [4] Akina gegoo niinawind ingii-nisimin ingiw niiwiijaan, indinawemaag gayesh. Mii imaa ayaad bezhig nimisenh gaye niin dash mii gaa-nisayeyaan. Mii minik gaa-ishkonewaad, gaa-ishkoneyaang i’iw minik. [5] Akinash gegoo ingii-wiidookawaanaan nimaamaa. Gaawiin gegoo gichi-anokiisii. Miinawaa akina gegoo ingiiizhichigemin . Imaa gaye nimbaabaa gii-anokiid, niinawind akina gegoo ingii-izhichigemin. Ingii-kiishkiboojigemin, biindigenising bigishkiga’iseyaang gaye, akina gegoo bi-naadiyaang gaye akina gegoo. Mii eta go gii-pagidinised a’aw nimaamaa jiibaakwed akina gegoo. Mii izhi-wiidookawag nimaamaayiban gii-pimaadizid. Akina gegoo, gaawiin ingii-pagidinaasiiwaanaan ge-gichi-anokiid gegoo. [6] Mii eta go gii-anokiid nimbaabaam. Azhigwa nenitaawigid indinawemaa, mii ezhi-wiijiwaad onow nimbaabaayan gaa-anokiinid. Miish i’iw booch dagoshinowaad, mii booch, maagizhaa go onaagoshig, miish i’iw akina gegoo anokiiyaang. Mii gaa-izhi-wiidookawangid nimaamaa, miinawaa nimbaabaayinaan. s u s a n j a c k s o n 206 When I Think About Chi-achaabaan [1] I was born in Inger, Chi-achaabaaning as it’s called. My mother and father were over there. That’s where they come from, where I got my knowledge of everything from...