Boozhoo from Oshki Ogimaag in Grand Portage. August is a busy time for the families and students of Oshki Ogimaag. The days begin to shorten, nights become cooler and trees begin to change color.
All as family and friends say good-bye after another fun and festive powwow. A special recognition goes out to Patrick Pierre and John Pierre both students at Oshki Ogimaag, for being named as junior braves at this summer’s powwow. In addition, a special miigwich, thank you, to the boys and girls from Oshki Ogimaag who drummed and danced at the powwow. Their dedication and commitment to the drum and dancing preserve the Ojibwe culture and traditions.
This time of the year is also a very sacred time in Ojibwe culture. Almost 400 years ago, the Great Spirit told the Ojibwe people to travel from their homes on the east coast of the United States to a place where the food grew on the water. The people listened and began a journey to a place that we know today as Gitchi Gummie, Lake Superior. This is the place where mahnomin, wild rice grows in abundance. Mahnomin has long been considered a sacred gift from the creator and has provided many generations of families with food for the winter. Even today, mahnomin is a staple of Ojibwe family diets.
Mahnomin is harvested by hand in late August and early September. Pairs of harvesters set out in canoes in rivers and lakes to beds of mahnomin. To start, the harvesters offer tobacco to thank the creator for the harvest. One person uses a large pole to push the canoe while the other person uses two sticks, called knockers to pull mahnomin into the canoe. After filling the canoe the mahnomin is brought back home and dried on a tarp. Once the mahnomin is dried a large metal kettle is heated by a fire, stirred and parched. From there the mahnomin is jigged—danced on—to remove the husk. After the husk is removed, birch bark baskets are used to winnow away the husk to leave just the grain. Once the winnowing is complete you get the mahnomin to eat. Mahnomin has been called the perfect food. It is high in protein, carbohydrates and fiber but low in fat.
Mahnomin harvest connects the Ojibwe people to the earth and draws people close to their heritage. Just like the powwow, mahnomin harvest brings families together to help in the harvest and to share with elders and others in the community who cannot harvest. Soon the students of Oshki Ogimaag will be taking part in this sacred harvest.
The end of powwow season, shorter days and mahnomin harvesting only means that summer is ending and school is soon to start. Education is another gift of the creator. Oshki Ogimaag is excited to be starting our third school year. The carefree days of summer may be ending but students are looking forward to reading with the elders, the first days of snow so that we can begin sharing legends and stories, snow snakes, field trips and Jeanne’s Indian Tacos.
The students and staff of Oshki Ogimaag would like to wish the best to all returning to school this fall. May we all take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead of us and like the sacred harvest, may our school days be abundant and fruitful. Miigwich.
Each month a representative of our local schools will offer thoughts in Issues in Education. This month’s s contributor is Jeff Stork. SPED Teacher, Oshki Ogimaag Charter School.
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