Plants of Turtle Island

Learn the names of trees with Dawson Bloor from the Georgian Bay Biosphere.

Language with Dawson: Trees in Anishinaabemowin

1. Oil extracted from this plant has been used to treat influenza and the common cold. 2. This plant can live to be over 200 years old. 3. The seeds of this plant can be carried away to up to 8 kilometers from their place of origin.&nbsp; 4. This plant is a member of the mint family. 5. This plant can reach from 98 to 131 feet in height.

ANSWERS: 1. Ajidamoowaanow (Yarrow) 2. Aninaatig (Maple) 3. Joojooshaaboojiibikag (Dandelion) 4. Mashkode-bishikii-wiingwashkoon (Sage) 5. Gishkaatig (Cedar)

We want to eat wild strawberries. Ni-wii-wiisini-min ode'iminan.

When I gather medicine, I respect the dandelions. Ahpii manashkikiwe-yaan, ni-manaadendamo joojooshaaboojiibikag.

My younger sister is drinking maple tea. Ni-shiime minikwe aninaatig niibiishaaboo.

While they aimlessly admired the cedars, I prepared the medicine for you. Megwaach babaami-gii-minonaw-(y)eg giizhikikaa, gi-gaa-mashkikiiwaabookaw-in.

Mashkode-bishikii-wiingwashk(oon) Sage

Ajidamoowaanow Yarrow

Gishkaatig Cedar

Aninaatig Maple

manashkikiwe wiisini minikwe manaadendamo miin ganawenim minonaw mashkikiiwaabookaw

= = = = = = = =

s/he gathers medicine s/he is eating s/he is drinking s/he is respectful give to s.o. take care of s.o. admire s.o. prepare a medicine for s.o.

We want to [ VERB ] the [ PLANT ].

Ni wii ___________-min ____________.

VERB BANK

wiisini s/he is eating ganawenim take care of s.o. minonaw admire s.o. manaadendamo s/he is respectful

You should [ VERB ] the [ PLANT ]. Gi daa ______________ _____________.

While you [ VERB ] the [ PLANT ], I [ VERB ] the [ PLANT ].

Megwaach _________-yan __________, ni ____________ ____________.

Joojooshaaboojiibik(ag) Dandelion Wiingwashk(oon) Sweetgrass Mashjode-bishikii-wiingwashk(oon) Sage Aninaatig Maple Ajidamoowaanow Yarrow Asemaa Tobacco Gishkaatig Cedar Ode'imin(an) Wild strawberry

PLANT BANK x x x x x x

Mashkode-bishikii-wiingwashk(oon) |

It represents the Western direction and renewal.

Maskode-bishkii-wiingwashkoon is often used for smudging - using the smoke from burning herbs to cleanse the body, an object, or an area of negative influences.

Burning in smudging ceremonies is done to drive out evil spirits, negative thoughts and feelings, and to keep negative entities away.&nbsp;

Nookwezigan a medicine for burning to make a smudge&nbsp;

Maple Aninaatig

Sweetgrass Wiingwashk(oon)

Cedar Gishkaatig

Dandelion Joojooshaaboojiibik(ag)

Gourneau, Dwight A. "Wild Plant Name Suffixes in Ojibwe Language". In the presentation: Ojibwe Naming of Wild Plants. July 2011. Red Road Collective. "Four Sacred Plants". Anishinaabemodaa - Ojibwe Language Website, 27 June 2011. <a href="http://anishinaabemodaa.com/lessons?lesson_id=94#:~:text=To%20those%20who%20live%20in,It%20is%20the%20sacred%20way">http://anishinaabemodaa.com/lessons?lesson_id=94#:~:text=To%20those%20who%20live%20in,It%20is%20the%20sacred%20way</a> Turner, Nancy J. et al. "Uses of Plants among Indigenous Peoples in Canada".&nbsp;The Canadian Encyclopedia, Historica Canada, 01 December 2014. <a href="https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/plants-native-uses">https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/plants-native-uses</a> *Some vocabulary and translations found on "The Ojibwe People's Dictionary" <a href="https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/">https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/</a>

It represents the Eastern Direction and the mind.

Asemaa is used to connect the worlds since its roots go deep into the earth, and the smoke rises high into the sky. The four traditional uses are: 1. Prayer 2. Offerings 3. Purification 4. Respect

Biindaakoojige to make an offering with tobacco

It represents the Southern direction and the soul.

When burned, Gishkaatig acts as a purifier, cleansing the area in which it is burned. It works both as a purifier and as a way to attract good energy in your direction.

Giizhikikaa an abundance of cedars

minomaagwad baashkaabigwanii minwaanzo minopogozi&nbsp; bichibowin+an aniibiish+ag agwaago-

smell good [it] blossoms, blooms colour: be of a good - taste good poisonous medicinal (herb) withered

These suffixes can be added to the end of some plant names to change its character.

-aatig -jibik -bag -imin -ashk -mizh

tree, trunk root leaf, branch berry, fruit, seed long grassy stem small tree, shrub

*This is not the case every time, but it can help you identify the word!

Match the English word on the left to the Anishinaabemowin word on the right.

1. Sweetgrass 2. Dandelion 3. Maple 4. Tobacco 5. Cedar 6. Yarrow 7. Wild strawberry 8. Sage

A. Joojooshaaboojiibik(ag) B. Wiingwashk(oon) C. Mashkode-bishikii-wiingwashk(oon) D. Aninaatig E. Ajidamoowaanow F. Asemaa G. Gishkaatig H. Ode'imin(an)

They are gift of the Spirits of the Four Directions and are often used in medicine and ceremonies.

- Asemaa (Tobacco) - Gishkaatig (Cedar) - Mashkode-bishikii-wiingwashk(oon) (Sage) - Wiingwashk(oon) (Sweetgrass)

A guide by Eleana Norton and Leah Stammis

Since time immemorial, plants have been used for food, medicine, materials, spiritual practices and in mythology.

miijiman aabiziijigan aanike-aajimowin

Yarrow Ajidamoowaanow

Wild Strawberry Ode'imin(an)

Tobacco Asemaa

Sage Mashkode-bishikii-wiingwashk(oon)

Maple leaf = Aninaatigo-bag

Dandelion root = Joojooshaaboo-jiibik

It represents the Northern direction and the body.

Wiingashkoon has important&nbsp;spiritual significance.

The elders tell us that wiingwashkoon is the&nbsp;hair of Nokimis Akiin (Our Grandmother the Earth)&nbsp;and the braid represents strength and a united tribe in mind, body and spirit.

Apike to braid

Food Plants Bagidinige

Medicinal Plants Mashkikiike

Utility Plants Aabajichigewin

Spiritual Plants Bawaajogan Mayaajiging

Name

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