CABIN COFFEEHOUSE ADDS OJIBWE/ENGLISH SIGNAGE
INTIATIVE IS BY THE SHARED VISION GROUP
The Cabin Coffeehouse and Café has recently added the Ojibwe greetings “aaniin” and “boozhoo” in addition to the English “welcome” on the front door of it’s business in downtown Bemidji.
According to owner Noemi Aylesworth, the idea came when a member of the group Shared Vision, Michael Meuers, visited with her daughter April several weeks ago. Meuers wanted to know what the owners thought about adding the words for “Men” and “Women” in Ojibwe to their rest room doors, or a welcome or thank you on the front door.
“I pondered that idea for awhile,” said Aylesworth, “and then I was watching ‘We Shall Remain’, (a five-part program about American Indian history on PBS) and it was like a wake-up call” she said. “Why aren’t there more Ojibwe words in the community? They were here first!” It was then that Ayleswoth had a friend paint the greetings Aaniin, Boozhoo, and Welcome on the front door.
Meuers gave Aylesworth a sheet on which several Ojibwe words were printed in case she wanted to add more signage. Aylesworth immediately had the idea to put those word sheets in “table tents” as a fun way to educate her customers a bit more about the area’s first residents. She also intends to add the Ojibwe words for Men and Women (Ininiwag and Ikwewag respectively) on restroom doors.
According to Meuers, other Bemidji businesses who have committed to adding Ojibwe/English signage thus far include; Ken and Kari Howe of Dunn Bros. Coffee, Sandy Jo Pilgrim of SJ & Co. Hair Salon, the Boys and Girls Club of Bemidji, and the 4 West Office Building. “I hope to encourage the Chamber of Commerce, its members, and others to embrace this idea as well, a recognition if you will that we live in Indian Country”, said Meuers.
The Shared Vision Initiative
Shared Vision was created with the support of Bemidji Area Race Relations Council, the Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth Nations, Bemidji Leads, City of Bemidji, Beltrami County, ISD #31, BSU, Blandin, Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, the Nielson Foundation, and others. It is staffed by Cliff Tweedale of the Headwaters Regional Development Commission (HRDC).
These supporters began by forming a partnership. They developed a survey, created a Mission, Vision, and branding logo for this effort, contracted with Wilder Research to conduct a study, and completed the Bemidji Area Study on Race Relations.
Mission
Be a catalyst that encourages the Bemidji community to work together to expand social, economic, educational and leadership opportunity for people of all races.
Vision
The Bemidji community will be a model for race relations in our state. We will embrace cultural understanding and respect between the Indian and non-Indian community, and promote strong participation of Indian people in every aspect of Bemidji community life. Bemidji will be known as a community that works together to expand opportunities for people of all races.
In order to achieve the “vision”, the group broke into four area/groups to work under the banner of Community Success through Working Together. The four areas identified are: Economic Opportunities; Civic Participation and Leadership; Educational Attainment and Skill Development; and Cultural Understanding and Respect.
The “Cultural Understanding and Respect” group’s hope is that within several years, cultural literacy about Native American culture will have increased in the Bemidji community for all races and discrimination will have decreased in all aspects of community life.
One of the several initiatives identified by the Cultural Understanding and Respect group to achieve the “Vision” was defined: “Within a year twenty institutions in Bemidji will have Ojibwe and English signs at their business”. Meuers is spearheading this initiative and has offered to pay for the first twenty signs up to a certain dollar amount.
The Idea/Concept
Meuers, a member of the Cultural Understanding group and a public relations person for the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, came up with the idea of Ojibwe/English signage in the community. “Some of the ideas the group was coming up with seemed rather daunting to me”, said Meuers. “I was trying to think of something simple, but meaningful, and able to be put into action quickly to show that Shared Vision, just might be different”.
“It is my experience that Indian people are a bit skeptical when it comes to ideas of working together for a better community” said Meuers, “and lets face it, Indians have a history of experiencing good intentions not quite lived up to.”
“Although Tribal Governments will support efforts such as Shared Vision”, he said, “it is my view that many tribal members feel they’ve heard it before and have a wait and see attitude. Not all, but some of our American Indian neighbors have gotten to a point where they just shrug these kind of things off, thinking it is more of the same”.
Keeping all this in mind, Meuers said that his mind wandered back to that terrible day, March 21, 2005, the day of the Red Lake tragedy. “I was visiting with former Bemidji City Manager David Minke and discussing the horrible events at Red Lake”, he said. As they were talking, Meuers noticed a Red Lake flag that Minke had been given as a gift. “I suggested that the city fly the Red Lake banner to express our deep sympathy for our brothers and sisters at Red Lake”, said Meuers. Minke loved the idea, and had the flag flown at half mast for a week.
“I heard more positive comments from Red Lake members about that simple symbolic gesture of respect than any other single act before or since. It was a symbol of camaraderie, and symbolism speaks loudly”.
In addition, Meuers said he was told by his brother, who had recently visited Ireland, that many signs are now printed in Gaelic as well as English, an initiative to revitalize the native tongue after years of English domination. He thought “why not celebrate the diversity that is Bemidji with Ojibwe/English signage”.
“I felt that this idea could have a three-fold effect”, Meuers said. “It could be interpreted as a huge symbol of friendship and respect to Indian people, it might help the non-Indian learn something about the area’s first residents, and tourists would just eat it up. Hopefully the idea then would snow-ball,” he said.
Although it would be a more expensive project, Meuers also suggested that in addition to flying the U.S and Canadian flags, that the County and especially the Bemidji Chamber Tourist Information Center, fly the flags of it’s three Indian Nation neighbors.
Businesses or organizations who might like more information on the Meuers incentive, or the correct spelling of Ojibwe words may contact Meuers at 218-766-6588.
READER RESPONSES:
"I wanted to share some of the customer responses of the table tents: a tourist from the state of Virginia asked what Ojibwe was so I explained. She thought that was really interesting. Today a family from Los Angeles was in to eat. The grand mother (originally from France) came to me and asked if she could please have a copy of the Ojibwe words. She wanted to share with others back home. She was very grateful! That is so cool!" Noemi Aylesworth
The Cabin Coffeehouse and Café has recently added the Ojibwe greetings “aaniin” and “boozhoo” in addition to the English “welcome” on the front door of it’s business in downtown Bemidji.
According to owner Noemi Aylesworth, the idea came when a member of the group Shared Vision, Michael Meuers, visited with her daughter April several weeks ago. Meuers wanted to know what the owners thought about adding the words for “Men” and “Women” in Ojibwe to their rest room doors, or a welcome or thank you on the front door.
“I pondered that idea for awhile,” said Aylesworth, “and then I was watching ‘We Shall Remain’, (a five-part program about American Indian history on PBS) and it was like a wake-up call” she said. “Why aren’t there more Ojibwe words in the community? They were here first!” It was then that Ayleswoth had a friend paint the greetings Aaniin, Boozhoo, and Welcome on the front door.
Meuers gave Aylesworth a sheet on which several Ojibwe words were printed in case she wanted to add more signage. Aylesworth immediately had the idea to put those word sheets in “table tents” as a fun way to educate her customers a bit more about the area’s first residents. She also intends to add the Ojibwe words for Men and Women (Ininiwag and Ikwewag respectively) on restroom doors.According to Meuers, other Bemidji businesses who have committed to adding Ojibwe/English signage thus far include; Ken and Kari Howe of Dunn Bros. Coffee, Sandy Jo Pilgrim of SJ & Co. Hair Salon, the Boys and Girls Club of Bemidji, and the 4 West Office Building. “I hope to encourage the Chamber of Commerce, its members, and others to embrace this idea as well, a recognition if you will that we live in Indian Country”, said Meuers.
The Shared Vision Initiative
Shared Vision was created with the support of Bemidji Area Race Relations Council, the Leech Lake, Red Lake and White Earth Nations, Bemidji Leads, City of Bemidji, Beltrami County, ISD #31, BSU, Blandin, Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, the Nielson Foundation, and others. It is staffed by Cliff Tweedale of the Headwaters Regional Development Commission (HRDC).
These supporters began by forming a partnership. They developed a survey, created a Mission, Vision, and branding logo for this effort, contracted with Wilder Research to conduct a study, and completed the Bemidji Area Study on Race Relations.
Mission
Be a catalyst that encourages the Bemidji community to work together to expand social, economic, educational and leadership opportunity for people of all races.
Vision
The Bemidji community will be a model for race relations in our state. We will embrace cultural understanding and respect between the Indian and non-Indian community, and promote strong participation of Indian people in every aspect of Bemidji community life. Bemidji will be known as a community that works together to expand opportunities for people of all races.
In order to achieve the “vision”, the group broke into four area/groups to work under the banner of Community Success through Working Together. The four areas identified are: Economic Opportunities; Civic Participation and Leadership; Educational Attainment and Skill Development; and Cultural Understanding and Respect.
The “Cultural Understanding and Respect” group’s hope is that within several years, cultural literacy about Native American culture will have increased in the Bemidji community for all races and discrimination will have decreased in all aspects of community life.
One of the several initiatives identified by the Cultural Understanding and Respect group to achieve the “Vision” was defined: “Within a year twenty institutions in Bemidji will have Ojibwe and English signs at their business”. Meuers is spearheading this initiative and has offered to pay for the first twenty signs up to a certain dollar amount.
The Idea/Concept
Meuers, a member of the Cultural Understanding group and a public relations person for the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, came up with the idea of Ojibwe/English signage in the community. “Some of the ideas the group was coming up with seemed rather daunting to me”, said Meuers. “I was trying to think of something simple, but meaningful, and able to be put into action quickly to show that Shared Vision, just might be different”.
“It is my experience that Indian people are a bit skeptical when it comes to ideas of working together for a better community” said Meuers, “and lets face it, Indians have a history of experiencing good intentions not quite lived up to.”
“Although Tribal Governments will support efforts such as Shared Vision”, he said, “it is my view that many tribal members feel they’ve heard it before and have a wait and see attitude. Not all, but some of our American Indian neighbors have gotten to a point where they just shrug these kind of things off, thinking it is more of the same”.
Keeping all this in mind, Meuers said that his mind wandered back to that terrible day, March 21, 2005, the day of the Red Lake tragedy. “I was visiting with former Bemidji City Manager David Minke and discussing the horrible events at Red Lake”, he said. As they were talking, Meuers noticed a Red Lake flag that Minke had been given as a gift. “I suggested that the city fly the Red Lake banner to express our deep sympathy for our brothers and sisters at Red Lake”, said Meuers. Minke loved the idea, and had the flag flown at half mast for a week.
“I heard more positive comments from Red Lake members about that simple symbolic gesture of respect than any other single act before or since. It was a symbol of camaraderie, and symbolism speaks loudly”.
In addition, Meuers said he was told by his brother, who had recently visited Ireland, that many signs are now printed in Gaelic as well as English, an initiative to revitalize the native tongue after years of English domination. He thought “why not celebrate the diversity that is Bemidji with Ojibwe/English signage”.
“I felt that this idea could have a three-fold effect”, Meuers said. “It could be interpreted as a huge symbol of friendship and respect to Indian people, it might help the non-Indian learn something about the area’s first residents, and tourists would just eat it up. Hopefully the idea then would snow-ball,” he said.
Although it would be a more expensive project, Meuers also suggested that in addition to flying the U.S and Canadian flags, that the County and especially the Bemidji Chamber Tourist Information Center, fly the flags of it’s three Indian Nation neighbors.
Businesses or organizations who might like more information on the Meuers incentive, or the correct spelling of Ojibwe words may contact Meuers at 218-766-6588.
READER RESPONSES:
"I wanted to share some of the customer responses of the table tents: a tourist from the state of Virginia asked what Ojibwe was so I explained. She thought that was really interesting. Today a family from Los Angeles was in to eat. The grand mother (originally from France) came to me and asked if she could please have a copy of the Ojibwe words. She wanted to share with others back home. She was very grateful! That is so cool!" Noemi Aylesworth
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