May - Waabigoni Giizis
In Ojibwe, May is known as "Waabigoni Giizis," which translates to "Blossom Moon" or "Flower Moon," referring to the time of year when flowers and plants bloom abundantly. The moon also encourages exploration of one's spiritual side, as all plants display their "Spiritual sides" during this time.
Floral artwork by Bizaanideewin, Caitlin Newago, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Bizaanide'ewin is an Ojibwe word, meaning peace of heart.
You may have heard the word “Treaty.” What does it mean?
Do you know what it truly means to be “in Treaty” with someone?
What does it signify to be in a deep and meaningful relationship that lasts forever and transcends time?
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As a Founding Member, your support will significantly contribute to the growth of this museum, allowing us to bring more vibrancy to our community and providing you with invitations to public and virtual events in the coming year, along with exclusive benefits.
Minnesota’s first treaty rights, and culture museum.
Right in the heart of the 1855 treaty territory of the Anishinnabeg.
Giiwedinong will serve as a destination for all those interested in the history of this land, including both settler and native agreements, treaties, and its waters. We will highlight historic exhibits alongside emerging artists to engage our youth, elders, and communities. In 2022, Akiing.org, an Anishinaabe-led organization focused on restoration and community development, purchased the former Carnegie Library, previously an Enbridge office, to create a Museum of Culture and Treaty Rights in downtown Park Rapids, Minnesota. Giiwedinong is the first museum of its kind dedicated to sharing the treaties, stories, and education of the Deep North, which extends from Wisconsin and Minnesota to North and South Dakota and beyond within Turtle Island.
We uplift and promote both emerging and established Anishinaabe artists in their diverse storytelling mediums. We understand that for art to be accessible, it must be integrated into the community, providing space for it in our daily lives while promoting internal and external access (for our Anishinaabe people) and external (as a means of advancing racial and social justice). We are committed to fostering dialogue and education on critical issues related to the intersections of Indigenous peoples, the environment, public policy, and fossil fuel economies.
Giiwedinong is led by a team of Indigenous historians, artists, and community members.
We are proud to establish the state’s first independently governed Native museum focused on treaty rights, celebrating our inaugural year on October 12, 2024!
Featured Artist, Rabbett Strickland
Rabbett ‘Before Horses’ Strickland is an Anishinaabe member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of northern Wisconsin. Rabbett grew up in the San Francisco Bay area with art as his constant lifestyle. His work has been influenced by European Renaissance and Baroque masters, including Botticelli, Michelangelo, Titian, Velasquez, Rubens and Leonardo, as well as by Ojibwe mythology. His work has been influenced by European Renaissance and Baroque masters, including Botticelli, Michelangelo, Titian, Velasquez, Rubens and Leonardo, as well as by Ojibwe mythology
Rabbett’s paintings each tell an individual story of Nanabozho that take the viewer to new and unexpected realms of personal relevance and universally meaningful content. Rabbett Strickland's paintings introduce viewers to Nanabozhoo, who first appeared to the artist in his dreams. Nanabozhoo is a complex character from Ojibwe mythology, both of the Earth and a creator of all things and creatures on Earth.
Possessing supernatural powers, he creates medicines to heal the sick and give assistance to the weak and oppressed. But like humanity, Nanabozhoo has been "subject to the need to learn.” Sometimes he is an active participant in the painting; more often, he is a solemn witness.
The supreme being for Strickland's Nanabozhoo is the Earth - Gitchi Manitou. Nanabozhoo is an emissary from Gitchi Manitou. He did not come into the world but rather came from it. Both spirit (manitou) and human, Nanabozhoo embodies that which everyone must decide: Are you a part of the earth or did you come from someplace else?
What you might learn from this museum
History, Treaties, Culture, Civil Rights, Constitutional Rights, Science and how Change is Made. This museum is intended to share these stories with you and allow us all to have these discussions.
Treaties and Covenants: Please view and think about some of the Indigenous treaties and thinking about these agreements, not only between people, but between people and the land, and the animals.
Language: You will see different forms of writing and different languages. We are proud to offer some of our Anishinaabemowin, and we are proud to share some of the ways that our people write not only our language, but our names, in old times and in new times.
Art: You will see several styles of Ojibwe and Dakota art featuring the original Dodaemag (the clans) mural and work of Brian Dow, Red Lake Anishinaabe, and also original art piece of the Sweet Corn Treaty by Inkpa Mani (click).
Water: You will learn about the water- the water of here, the water of our ancestors and descendants is the same water. You will have an opportunity to learn about how water is central to life, and also to learn about what challenges we face in protecting water.
History: You will learn about Minnesota history, in a way that is rarely shared, an Indigenous narrative. Some of that will feel unfamiliar to you, and maybe uncomfortable. Know that our intention is give our visitors an opportunity to view and understand more fully the history of the land and people, and to allow us all a space to have discussions and learn together.
Civil and Constitutional Rights, the Rights of Nature: You will see a lot of people who got arrested. That’s not easy to see, and at the same time, we hope you will come to understand more about these people, Water Protectors and Anishinaabe people, and understand the complex society in which we live. See if you can understand civil rights, constitutional rights and treaty rights, as concepts.
This is the first chapter. There will be other exhibits here, and we welcome volunteers, and help of all kinds. We are a small, committed crew, mostly volunteers, who brought this together. We are not professionals (although we do have some on our board). We are, however, the people from these stories, and this place, omaa akiing.
We hope to create more virtual materials and information from this museum, work with schools to coordinate curriculum development and have some staff and continued support. We will also hope to make more exhibits. Let us know if you’re interested or can help. info@giiwdinong.org
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Grand Opening is projected on Indigenous People’s Day, October 12th. Subscribe to receive news, and event invitation.
