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What do turtles and calendars have in common? Storyteller brings Ojibway language to life (5 photos)

Presentation was related to a Norval Morrisseau art exhibit at Innisfil library, which is on display until the end of the month

It’s important to know who you are and where you came from.

That was the essence of storyteller Will Morin’s session called Grandfather Teachings at the Lakeshore library in Alcona recently, as he shared his Ojibway and French roots, and the creation story of the Anishinaabe.

“We are not taught our histories,” Morin told a circle of listeners who ranged in age from grandparents to infants. 

What is taught in school today does not explain the world around us, but the ancient Ojibway language, which dates back at least 10,000 years, contains meanings and connections that can provide explanations, he said.

Like the words for heart and fire.

Heart in Ojibway is "odey" and fire is "ishkodey," Morin explained. “Where there is fire, there is community. Where there is community, there is love.”

He traced the roots of other Ojibway words. "Keh" means Earth, Morin said. The frog, which hibernates within the earth and is awakened by spring thunderstorms is "muk-keh." The word for thunder is "nim-keh."

"These names are loaded with teachings," Morin said, as he explained the significance of the medicine wheel - with its four colours corresponding to the four directions, four seasons, and four life stages of man - and the teachings of the turtle. 

The Anishinaabe call Earth "turtle island," he said. The shell of each turtle consists of 13 large plates, 26 small plates, “plus the head and tail makes 28,” Morin said. “There are 13 28-day cycles (in the year). These turtles are our teachers... The turtle is our living calendar.”

Using props that included a fire made of cloth, a medicine wheel, animal puppets, and masks, Morin explained the meaning hidden in names and languages, and engaged the circle in telling the creation story:

     The Creator made the planets and stars, the Earth, plants and animals, before making First Man. Creator gave man six gifts – humility, truth, love, honesty,
     respect and courage – but decided to withhold the final gift, of wisdom.

     “I’ll hide the gift of wisdom,” said Creator, so that man would have to earn it, and asked the plants and animals to suggest a hiding place.

     Each plant and animal spoke in turn – but the best hiding place was suggested by the smallest animal, the mouse: “Hide the gift of wisdom inside.”

“The animals are our older brothers and sisters. These are our teachers,” said Morin, and those who listen and look for meaning in the natural world and the Ojibway language will find “the truth of the Anishinaabe people.”

Morin's presentation was part of the programming at the Innisfil ideaLAB related to the exhibit of art by Anishinabek artist Norval Morrisseau, whose Soul Floating in a Cosmic Sea remains on display at the Lakeshore branch until the end of the month. 


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Miriam King

About the Author: Miriam King

Miriam King is a journalist and photographer with Bradford Today, covering news and events in Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil.
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