Ojibwemowin Books

Ojibwe first language speakers and second language learners joined together to collect hundreds of stories and develop 5 books. Dozens of band members contributed to the project – providing stories, transcribing, editing, and creating illustrations. Written in the Ojibwe language, these delightful short stories bring to life the tales, traditions, and creative genius of some of Ojibwe country’s most gifted storytellers while providing essential tools for language-learning.

The difference between this and other publications of Ojibwe-language is that these books are completely monolingual.

The book project took just under three years from conception to publication, with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing much of the work to be done through online video calls. In late September 2020, the first three books were published in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society. Two additional books were released in September 2021.

Some tribes have no living fluent speakers. The MLBO is working to see that we create another generation of speakers and that our most respected population of Band members, our Elders, get to see that their work has not gone undervalued. They will soon be able to hear children speaking Ojibwe again. The book projects were driven by the desire of the band’s elders to preserve the heritage that was passed on to them by their ancestors. The goal is to teach speakers for hundreds of years to come.

Akawe Niwii-tibaajim

Akawe Niwii-tibaajim

In eighty brief nonfiction stories, elders of the Mille Lacs Band transmit a storehouse of experience and memories, wisdom and foolishness, and complex identity. Join Waasigwan (Shining Feather) as he navigates racism against African Americans in an Ojibwe community, learn about the cultural nuances of an Ojibwe naming ceremony, and experience the deeper meanings in the Ojibwe wild rice harvest. These are the stories that make us who we are.

Akawe Niwii-tibaajim (First of All, I’m Telling a Story) is written for teachers, students, and Ojibwe language and culture enthusiasts ages fourteen and above.

Nishiimeyinaanig

Nishiimeyinaanig

In these twenty-six charming and original stories, animal characters act foolishly and bravely, show wisdom and weakness, and have funny and surprising adventures. Join cunning Waagosh (Fox) as he finds ever more creative ways to trick rabbits; the famous Gaazhagens (Cat), who manipulates children and entertains their grandmother; and a menagerie of animals engaged in sport, game, and life lessons of all kinds.

Nishiimeyinaanig (Our Little Siblings) is written for teachers, students, and Ojibwe language and culture enthusiasts ages ten and above. This is Ojibwe entertainment at its finest.

Anooj Inaajimod

Anooj Inaajimod

In this anthology of twenty-three charming and original stories, people get into and out of trouble, make and solve problems, and have funny and surprising adventures. The tellings range from hilarious personal reminiscences to legendary exploits. From the true story of a family that raised a fawn until nursing it became too painful for its adoptive human mother to the squirrel that accidentally took the ride of its life across Mille Lacs Lake on the back of an owl, here is Ojibwe storytelling at its finest.

Anooj Inaajimod (They Tell All Kinds of Things) is written for teachers, students, and Ojibwe language and culture enthusiasts ages ten and above.

Gaa-Pi-Izhiwebak

Gaa-Pi-Izhiwebak

Gaa-pi-izhiwebak, which means “What Happened,” is an Ojibwe-language collection of nonfiction reminiscences, cultural teachings, and histories told by elders from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Conceived and written only in Ojibwe, the stories reflect a rare authenticity as they transmit cultural values, increase vocabulary, and reinforce identity.

Gaa-pi-izhiwebak is intended for middle school and high school readers.

Ge-ni-aabadak Giniigaaniiminaang

Ge-ni-aabadak Giniigaaniiminaang

Ge-ni-aabadak Giniigaaniiminaang, which means “What We Shall Make Use of in Our Future,” is an Ojibwe-language collection of fictional short stories told by elders from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Conceived and written only in Ojibwe, the stories reflect a rare authenticity as they transmit cultural values, increase vocabulary, and reinforce identity; the stories are designed to both entertain and educate.

Ge-ni-aabadak Giniigaaniiminaang is intended for younger readers of Ojibwe.