Most Minnesotans Speak Ojibwe? by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Most Minnesotans Speak Ojibwe, whether they know it OR not!
Many Minnesota cities, counties, rivers, lakes & towns are still known by the names originally given to them by the Ojibwe people.
Whether using actual Ojibwe words, variation of Ojibwe OR an English translation of an Ojibwe place name, most Minnesotans unknowingly speak Ojibwe words on a daily basis.
Many would be surprised by the wisdom contained within the Ojibwe meaning of their town, lake or river's name.
Whether using actual Ojibwe words, variation of Ojibwe OR an English translation of an Ojibwe place name, most Minnesotans unknowingly speak Ojibwe words on a daily basis.
Many would be surprised by the wisdom contained within the Ojibwe meaning of their town, lake or river's name.
If You've said the word "Mississippi," YOU have spoken Ojibwe too! Wonder what it means?
Mississippi River:
"Mississippi" comes from the Ojibwe Language.
"sippi," otherwise spelled sipi, sebe or ziibi, is the Ojibwe word meaning: River.**
"Missi" means: Great or Great Being. When applied to various waters, means:
the collected or assembled mass of them. **
Henry Gannett says that Mississippi means:
"great water" or "gathering in of all the waters" and "an almost endless river spread out." **
This shows that the Ojibwe had knowledge of the many rivers which flow into the Mississippi AND that the River itself continues growing until it "spreads out" completely, flowing into the Ocean on the Gulf Coast.
Visit Itasca State Park to see where the Mississippi River begins & you'll notice it's just a little trickle of water. If you knew nothing else about it, it's hard to imagine that it continues growing and continues all the way down to the South Coast!
"Mississippi" comes from the Ojibwe Language.
"sippi," otherwise spelled sipi, sebe or ziibi, is the Ojibwe word meaning: River.**
"Missi" means: Great or Great Being. When applied to various waters, means:
the collected or assembled mass of them. **
Henry Gannett says that Mississippi means:
"great water" or "gathering in of all the waters" and "an almost endless river spread out." **
This shows that the Ojibwe had knowledge of the many rivers which flow into the Mississippi AND that the River itself continues growing until it "spreads out" completely, flowing into the Ocean on the Gulf Coast.
Visit Itasca State Park to see where the Mississippi River begins & you'll notice it's just a little trickle of water. If you knew nothing else about it, it's hard to imagine that it continues growing and continues all the way down to the South Coast!
Ojibwe Language Contains Great Wisdom!
I'm NOT the only one getting excited about Ojibwe word meanings!
Over 150 Establishments in Bemidji, MN have incorporated Ojibwe Language in city & public signs.
The local public schools have recently joined the list of participants! (Read the whole story on RLNN by Clicking HERE)
Bemidji Resident, Michael Meuers shared: "Ojibwe words bring great beauty and meaning to American culture. Consider, for instance, that the word for a elder, “gichi-aya’aa,” means “great being.” The word for female elder, “mindimooye,” means “one who holds things together.”***
The Ojibwe meanings add such depth & appreciation for others...
combined with GREAT WISDOM too!
Female Elder within a family TRULY IS the one who holds things together.
She's the "GLUE" that hold things together AND helps to repair that which fell apart.
If this meaning was taught alongside English words for "Mom" and "Grandma,"
perhaps people would pay more attention
AND prepare their ears for LISTENING when she began to speak.
"One of America's problems is respect for elders, if we adopted some of the culture that is indigenous to Minnesota and it therefore our history and culture too, we would not need to tell children to respect their elders, it is contained within the language." ~ Michael Meuers (visit Michael's blog by Clicking HERE) I AGREE 100%
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Another Ojibwe Language Description
I had the pleasure of hearing Michael Dahl give a brief explanation of Ojibwe Language last month at a Native American Conference put on by White Earth Indian Reservation.
I really enjoyed the way Michael Dahl explained Ojibwe words:
"like a bunch of word parts which are put together to have a greater meaning."
He described the Ojibwe word for Drum: "dewe'igan."
de = my heart, we = echo, igan = forever
dewe'igan, meaning: drum = my heart echoes forever.
To Hear this word pronounced in Ojibwe, visit the Ojibwe People's Dictionary by CLICKING HERE.
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Fargo Marathon Runners Inspired by Native Drumming
I've heard about the Native Drum Groups from MANY Fargo Marathon Runners & Watchers this week!
They seem somewhat SURPRISED by how hearing the Drums made them FEEL INSIDE. :)
This is actually something I've gotten used to hearing about and it never gets old!
I shared with them Michael Dahl's description of the Ojibwe meaning of the
word for drum (my heart echoes forever)...
They seemed speechless for a moment.
They visibly appeared moved inside...
as if that was EXACTLY how hearing the Drum
made them FEEL INSIDE. :)
I heard there were 3-4 Drum Groups who were at the Fargo Marathon last weekend.
Knowing this area, the drummers were likely from many different nations. All Very AMAZING Drums! :)
Anyone who's interested in HEARING DRUMS themselves... this is an IN-PERSON Experience.
To me... it's not the same hearing drums online or on a recording, You've gotta BE THERE! :)
There's a Big Pow Wow this weekend: May 25, 26 & 27, 2012
There will be Awesome Drummers there! :)
Consider Yourself INVITED!
WHERE: Just outside the Seven Clans Casino - Thief River Falls, Minnesota
WHEN: Grand Entries Begin Friday: 7 pm, Saturday: 1 pm & 7 pm & Sunday: 1 pm
Hope to SEE YOU There!
:)
Miigwech! (Big Thanks)
They seem somewhat SURPRISED by how hearing the Drums made them FEEL INSIDE. :)
This is actually something I've gotten used to hearing about and it never gets old!
I shared with them Michael Dahl's description of the Ojibwe meaning of the
word for drum (my heart echoes forever)...
They seemed speechless for a moment.
They visibly appeared moved inside...
as if that was EXACTLY how hearing the Drum
made them FEEL INSIDE. :)
I heard there were 3-4 Drum Groups who were at the Fargo Marathon last weekend.
Knowing this area, the drummers were likely from many different nations. All Very AMAZING Drums! :)
Anyone who's interested in HEARING DRUMS themselves... this is an IN-PERSON Experience.
To me... it's not the same hearing drums online or on a recording, You've gotta BE THERE! :)
There's a Big Pow Wow this weekend: May 25, 26 & 27, 2012
There will be Awesome Drummers there! :)
Consider Yourself INVITED!
WHERE: Just outside the Seven Clans Casino - Thief River Falls, Minnesota
WHEN: Grand Entries Begin Friday: 7 pm, Saturday: 1 pm & 7 pm & Sunday: 1 pm
Hope to SEE YOU There!
:)
Miigwech! (Big Thanks)
** Reference material: Minnesota Place Names: A Geographical Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition Revised, Warren Upham, page 6 & 7.
*** Reference material: www.RLNN.com specific article found at:
http://www.rlnn.com/story/2012/05/21/features/bemidji-incorporates-ojibwe-into-citys-signs-and-daily-life/1551.html
*** Reference material: www.RLNN.com specific article found at:
http://www.rlnn.com/story/2012/05/21/features/bemidji-incorporates-ojibwe-into-citys-signs-and-daily-life/1551.html
written by: Jennifer Kruse, LMT CRMT
Like this? Jen is available to SPEAK on this topic and many others.
As a Holistic Healer, Teacher and Practitioner of many Alternative Medicine Modalities,
Jen helps people connect & understand aspects of SELF in a Profound Healing Experience.
Helping YOU Transform Your Life!
Interested in scheduling an Event or Class? Call Jen at (701) 371-3111
www.JenniferKruse.com www.Aspire2Heal.com
Like this? Jen is available to SPEAK on this topic and many others.
As a Holistic Healer, Teacher and Practitioner of many Alternative Medicine Modalities,
Jen helps people connect & understand aspects of SELF in a Profound Healing Experience.
Helping YOU Transform Your Life!
Interested in scheduling an Event or Class? Call Jen at (701) 371-3111
www.JenniferKruse.com www.Aspire2Heal.com
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