Description
Chi miigwech means big thank you in Anishinaabemowin.
We can say chi miigwech for the natural world, the plants and animals and even the creatures we cannot see. Chi miigwech for our basic needs like food and shelter and for everything we feel and experience. Chi miigwech for the Seven Grandfathers Teachings: truth, love, honesty, courage, humility, wisdom and respect. And chi miigwech for you!
This bilingual book includes full text in both English and Anishinaabemowin.
Author Bio
astra márta writes under a pen name. With the great spirit in mind, chi miigwech was birthed by the desire to elaborate on saying "thank you for the food and everything that made it possible" before a meal. It is also an expression of gratitude and respect for everything that exists. astra is Anishinaabe from Manitoba and a survivor of the Sixties Scoop who grew up in the unceded Mohawk territory of Tiohtià:ke (Montreal).
Jordan Stranger is an Anishinaabe artist and graphic designer originally from Peguis First Nation, is known for his colorful style represented through both massive murals and minuscule Apple app store icons. He’s designed logos and graphics for Festival du Voyageur, APTN, Shopify, Audible and Apple. His murals and artwork using cultural influences and symbolism can be found throughout the city of Winnipeg, and he is the designer and artist behind the Winnipeg 150 logo. Stranger’s work is deeply rooted in the traditions within contemporary Indigenous culture, and he uses his life experiences and spiritual practice learned through Ojibwe teachings to drive his artistic passions.
Angela Mesic currently teaches the first year Anishinaabemowin course at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) and provides online long-distance learning for Yale University. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in the field of psychology at UWM and is currently working on a master of community psychology at Alverno College. Angela has a strong interest in research focused on the psychology of learning and curriculum development. Through the Electa Quinney Institute for American Indian Education at UWM, she assists the director, Dr. Margaret Noodin, in making significant revisions to language curriculum, and handles curricular queries from various internal and external partners, including Indian Community School, several colleges and universities throughout the United States, and tribal communities.
Margaret Noodin received an MFA in creative writing and a PhD in linguistics from the University of Minnesota. She is currently a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where she also serves as director of the Electa Quinney Institute for American Indian Education and a scholar in the Center for Water Policy. She is the author of Bawaajimo: A Dialect of Dreams in Anishinaabe Language and Literature and two bilingual collections of poetry, Weweni and Gijigijigikendan: What the Chickadee Knows. Her poems are also anthologized in New Poets of Native Nations, Poetry, the Michigan Quarterly Review, Water Stone Review and Yellow Medicine Review. Her research spans linguistic revitalization, Indigenous ontologies, traditional science and prevention of violence in Indigenous communities.
Review Quotes
“Concise text and bold visuals pair for an explanation of Anishinaabe expression of gratitude. The matter-of-fact text will speak to young readers as Stranger’s arresting, stylized illustrations weave a continuous thread across each page; swirling lines, simple shapes, and flat colors draw the eye and convey movement and energy. A wonderfully reverent exploration of all we have to be thankful for, pitched perfectly for a young audience.”
— Kirkus Reviews“Offers an important opportunity to talk about Indigenous culture and languages. Stranger allows Indigenous inspiration to shine through in images that draw readers in. A crisp light text accompanied by compelling graphics, this book will entertain small children and prompt older readers learning about Indigenous culture and language to explore further”
— School Library Journal (SLJ)Biographical note
astra márta writes under a pen name. This book is an expression of gratitude for all that she loves. She is Anishinaabe and a survivor of the Sixties Scoop who grew up in tiohtià:ke. Her favorite food is peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
Jordan Stranger is an Anishinaabe artist and graphic designer, originally from Peguis First Nation, known for his colorful style represented through murals, illustrations and graphic design. His murals and artwork using cultural influences and symbolism can be found throughout the city of Winnipeg. Stranger’s work is deeply rooted in the traditions within contemporary Indigenous culture, and he uses his life experiences and spiritual practice learned through Ojibwe teachings to drive his artistic passions.
Angela Mesic lives in Milwaukee but her ancestors are from far away. She learned the Anishinaabe language when she was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She wanted to understand more about the land where she is from and the language of the Indigenous people that occupy it. Now, for seven years she has been teaching others to speak the Anishinaabe language.
Margaret Noodin received an MFA in creative writing and a PhD in linguistics from the University of Minnesota. She is currently a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where she also serves as director of the Electa Quinney Institute for American Indian Education and a scholar in the Center for Water Policy. She is the author of Bawaajimo: A Dialect of Dreams in Anishinaabe Language and Literature and two bilingual collections of poetry, Weweni and Gijigijigikendan: What the Chickadee Knows. Her poems are also anthologized in New Poets of Native Nations, Poetry, the Michigan Quarterly Review, Water Stone Review and Yellow Medicine Review. Her research spans linguistic revitalization, Indigenous ontologies, traditional science and prevention of violence in Indigenous communities.
Biographical note
astra márta abajitoon ozhibii’ige-nozwin. O’ow mazina’igan gii-ozhibii’ang ji-miigwechiwendang gakina zaagitood. Anishinaabe aawi miinawaa gii-zhaaboshkang Ingodwaasimidana -bibooning Giichigonigoowin. Apii oshki-ayaa gii-endaad tiohtiá:ke. Ochi-minwenimaawaan bagaanaboo miinawaa wewaagijiizid naboniganan.
Jordan Stranger, aawi Anishinaabe miinawaa mezinibii'ang, wenjibaad Oshki-ishkonigan, miinawaa nisidotamang ezhi-aabajitood niibiwa enaandewinan aasamisagong gaye maazina’iganing. Gida-waabandaan omazinibii’igewinan aasamisagong ateg Wiinibiig-oodenang. Apiich anokiid mikwendang ezhi-gikinoo’amaagewaad oshki-Anishinaabeg miinawaa gii-ezhi-bimaadizid gaye manidoowizid.
Angela Mesic onjibaa Minowaki aanawi odaanikoobijiganimag onjibaawaad waasa. Ogii-nandagikendaan Anishinaabemowin apii aawid gekinoo’amaagan Gabegikendaasowigamigong Miskwaa’asin-Minowakii. Ogii-nandawendaan ji-nisidotang izhi-onjibaad gaye Anishinaabeg ezhi-inwewaad. Azhigwa niizhwaaswi biboonan gii-gikinoo’amaawaad Anishinaabemonid.
Margaret Noodin odanokitawaan Gichi-Onigaming Anishinaaben miinawaa gikinoo’amawaad abinoojiinhyag onjibaawaad Gichi-Onigaming gaye daad iwedi. Miinawaa Gabegikendaasowigamigong Miskwaa’asin-Minowakiing gikinoo’amaawaad Zhaaganashimowin, Ojibwemowin miinawaa ezhi-dibaajimonid Eire-akiing. Gii-ozhibii'ang niswi mazina'iganan ezhinikaadegWeweni, Ezhi-gikendaan Gijigijigaaneshiinh miinawaa Bawaajimo: Ezhi-nisidotamowaad Dibaajimowaad. Gii-aanikanootang awashme 30 mazina'iganan Ojibwemong.
