OJIBWEMOWIN CONTINUES TO SNOWBALL IN BEMIDJI

Article and Photography by Michael Meuers


Fifty-six businesses/organizations have now committed to posting some kind of Ojibwe language (Ojibwemowin) at their worksites. Michael Meuers and Rachelle Houle are proud to announce on behalf of the Shared Vision Group, that this includes Bemidji State University, the Vo-tech College, North Country Hospital, Bemidji Chamber, the City of Bemidji, and the Bemidji Regional Events Center. (See complete list below) This has all been accomplished in less than six weeks. They are both quite pleased at how the community has responded.

“When we started out with this we were hoping businesses would be doing Ikwewag and Ininiwag (women and men) on bathroom doors, or a greeting and thank you on front doors”, said Houle, “but some folks are getting creative about it”.

“For example,” said Meuers, “the Cabin added ‘table tents’ with Ojibwemowin, Cease funeral wanted to do some kind of blessing for those grieving ‘Apegish wii-zhawenimik Manidoo’, (I hope you are blessed/pitied by the creator), TJ Design Studio wanted to do, ‘we fix computers (Ninanaa'itoomin mazinaabikiwebiniganan), Hazelton Family Dentistry wanted to do ‘we help people smile’ (Niwiidookawaanaanig ji-zhoomingweniwaad), Northern Dental Access Center wanted to have for their bulletin board ‘events or activities’ (waa-inakamigakin), and the Wild Hare Bistro wants a sign that says ‘meeting or conference room’ (maawanji'iding abiwin), and these are but a few examples,” Meuers said.

Meuers and Houle find the effort to be very exciting and fun, “we encourage folks to visit the businesses involved and tell them ‘thanks’ (miigwech)”, said Houle.

Many businesses have asked Meuers and Houle how to pronounce the words businesses are using. Shared Vision hopes to bring some Ojibwe speakers together for a short workshop for that purpose. In the mean time, work site managers and owners will be sent the attachment of Ojibwemowin pronunciation courtesy of the Nichols/Nyholm dictionary.

Shared Vision is also exploring the idea of pointing out that many people see Ojibwe words around them all the time and don’t know how much the Ojibwe People and their language have affected the north woods they live in. Words such as Bemidji itself, is a shortened version of Bemidjigamaag meaning “lake with cross waters”. But many other towns have Ojibwe names, such as Biwabik, Mahnomen, Nebish, Ogema and many others.

List of Business/organizations who have committed to the Shared Vision concept of Ojibwemowin:

1. The Cabin Coffeehouse
2. Dunn Bros Coffee
3. 4 West Office Building
4. Boys and Girls Club of Bemidji
5. SJ & Co.
6. The T-shirt Shop
7. My Best Friend’s Closet
8. MedSave Family Pharmacy
9. Wild Hare Bistro
10. Bi-County CAP
11. Country Kitchen
12. Morell’s Trading Post
13. Downtown Meats
14. Harmony Food Coop
15. Naylor Electric
16. Cease Funeral Homes
17. Giovanni’s Pizza
18. Bemidji State Park
19. Explore Chiropractic
20. KD Floral
21. Glazed & Amused
22. TJ Design Studio
23. Arrow Printing
24. Bemidji Community Arts Council
25. Northern Dental Access Center
26. Bemidji Regional Events Center
27. KFC
28. Kenny’s Clark Station
29. Ben Franklin
30. Goodwill Industries
31. Headwaters Science Center
32. Patterson’s Menswear, Downtown
33. Patterson’s Menswear, PB Mall
34. Hazelton Family Dentistry
35. Paul Bunyan Sub Shop
36. City of Bemidji
37. Bemidji State University
38. NW Technical College
39. Bemidji Coop – Cenex
40. Iverson Corner Drug
41. Bemidji Woolen Mills
42. Suzy & Hondo Dance Studios
43. Chocolate’s Plus
44. Bemidji Chamber
45. Paul Bunyan Playhouse (Chief Theater)
46. North Country Health Services
47. MJB Appliance Center
48. Beltrami County History Center
49. Beaver Book Store
50. American Family Insurance, Otterstad Agency
51. The Headquarters, Barber Shop
52. Roy’s Comics and Games
53. Third Street Optical
54. Professional Dress Uniforms
55. Jenny’s Party Creations
56. Family Advocacy Center of N. MN

Photos above include Alan Merschman of Kenny's Clark Station, Dr. Angela Bremer of Explore Chiropractic, and the restroom door signs of the Cabin Coffeehouse