Akawe Niwii-tibaajim

Title is translated as First of All, I'm Telling a Story. By Aanjibimaadizing, which means "changing lives," is a program of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Eighty nonfiction cultural stories and reminiscences, told in Ojibwemowin by elders of the Mille Lacs Band. Suitable for high school and general readers. 100 b&w illustrations. Editors include Anton Treuer and Michael Sullivan. Treuer is professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University, and is the author of The Language Warrior's Manifesto and fourteen other books on Indigenous history and language. Sullivan is the resident linguist for the Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Immersion School on the Lac Court Orielle Reservation. Contributor List: 1.Kimberly Anderson (Biidaabanikwe) 2.Aanakwadoons Aubid (Bizhiwens) 3.David Aubid (Niibaagaabaw) 4.Wesley Ballinger (Niiyo-giizhig) 5.John Benjamin (Waabishkigaabaw) 6.Melissa Boyd (Baabiitawi-giizhigookwe) 7.Shirley Boyd (Amikogaabawiikwe) 8.Dustin Burnette (Gimiwan) 9.John Daniel (Niigaanimad) 10.Frances Davis (Ozhaawashkogaabawiikwe) 11.Persia Erdrich (Netaa-niimid Aamoo-ikwe) 12.Lorena Garbow (Zhaagowaamigookwe) 13.Chato Gonzales (Ombishki-bines) 14.Miigis Gonzales (Niizhwaasanagookwe) 15.Rosie Gonzales (Waase-giizhigookwe) 16.Michelle Goose (Zhooniyaakwe) 17.Nicholas Hanson (Gegaayootayaash) 18.Bradley Harrington (Nazhike-awaasang) 19.Adrian Liberty (Naabekwa) 20.Jim Mitchell (Mashkodewinini) 21.Brenda Moose (Biidwewe-giizhigookwe) 22.Jada Montano (Ningaabi'anookwe) 23.Joseph Nayquonabe (Waabishki-bines) 24.John Nichols (Biidaanakwad) 25.Carol Nickaboine (Asiniiyokamigookwe) 26.Keller Paap (Waawaakeyaash) 27.Monique Paulson (Waase-giniwikwe) 28.Ralph Pewaush (Zaagajiw) 29.Steven Premo (Zhaawan) 30.William Premo (Gidagigwaneb) 31.Bette Sam (Indiikwe) 32.Elfreda Sam (Biidwewidamookwe) 33.Susan Shingobe (Bebaamaashiikwe) 34.Charles Smith (Nenaawi-giizhig) 35.Lee Staples (Obizaan) 36.Michael Sullivan (Migizi) 37.Jonathan Thunder (Manidoo-gwiiwizens) 38.Anton Treuer (Waagosh) 39.Madeline Treuer (Giizhigookwe)


Publisher Marketing:
Through the Aanjibimaadizing Project, an initiative of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, sixteen first speakers have teamed with linguists, teachers, and Ojibwe language experts to create this new literature for Ojibwe language learners. Conceived and presented only in Ojibwe, the stories reflect a rare authenticity as they convey cultural values, increase vocabulary, and reinforce identity. Akawe Niwii-tibaajim ( First of All, I'm Telling a Story) was written for teachers, students, and Ojibwe language and culture enthusiasts ages fourteen and above. 
In eighty brief original reminiscences and cultural stories, elders of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe transmit a storehouse of experience and memories, wisdom and foolishness, and complex identity. Join Waasigwan (Shining Feather) as he navigates racism against blacks 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. This is traditional storytelling and Ojibwe cultural sharing at its finest. These are the stories that make us who we are. Agindaasodaa (let's read)!

 
Contributor Bio:  Aanjibimaadizing
Aanjibimaadizing, which means "Changing Lives," is a program of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

Contributor Bio:  Treuer, Anton
Anton Treuer, professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University, is the author of The Language Warrior's Manifesto and fourteen other books on Indigenous history and language.

Contributor Bio:  Sullivan, Michael
Michael Sullivan Sr. is the resident linguist for the Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Immersion School on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation.

Contributor Bio:  Premo, Steve
Steve Premo, an enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, is a graphic designer, illustrator, and fine artist.