Spiritually Inspired Jewellery by Zhaawano Giizhik (Part IV)

-
"Imaginative mind is like an endless sky"

 'WAABIZHESHI N’DOODEM' (‘Marten is my doodem’)
~ 14 K white gold (exterior), sterling silver (interior), inlay of 14 K red gold and yellow gold, © Zhaawano Giizhik /Click on image to Enlarge/


"The design of these rings I dedicate to BEATRICE MENASE'KWE JACKSON of the Migizi doodem (Eagle clan) from Sault Ste. Marie, who besides a dear friend and sister is also a widely respected and knowledgeable grandmother of the Midewiwin. Although the symbolic meaning of the design elements of these rings is personal to me, I will describe the meaning WAABIZHESHI, the marten has in Ojibwe society – as it was explained to me by Menase’Kwe - and perhaps colored by my own interpretation as well.

In the communities of the Ojibweg of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan – among whose forebears were the BAAWITIGOWININIWAG, People of the Rapids - , those who belong to the Waabizheshi or Wabashe doodem (totem) are warrior clan people inclined to be great strategic logistic thinkers and defenders of MINO BIMAADIZiWIN, the Good Way of the Heart (Midewiwin) and of ANISHINAABEMOWIN, the beautiful language of the Ojibwe people. Their colors are yellow,light brown and gold. They are considered OGICHIDAAG: warrior-leaders, not followers. Like the Midewiwin colors, waabizhesiwag (marten people) go into the unknown and complete darkness without fear.

The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg have always had warrior clans. Marten is known as an outsider who stands outside of the circle of those warriors who appeal to the imagination and attract the most attention: the bear, the wolf, and the lynx. Marten is on the outside looking in. Certainly the other clans are seen as protector, but it is waabizheshi who fights for change, for what is right, who makes change with an amazing intellect and strategic mind. He or she defends those who commit themselves to the cultural and educative values and the survival of the language, science and art of the Anishinaabe People.

So, sometimes marten steps forward to retrieve the language, keeps the culture by supporting those who are fighting for it, never one to take a back seat, actively doing what is right no matter the cost...

Waabizheshi is gifted with a great mental potentilal that is unlimited. Waabizheshi, in short, is a WARRIOR OF THE MIND.

Zhaawano Giizhik
-




Source: http://facebook.com/zhaawano (Facebook)
              /Used with permission/


>>> Reference links:
~ Zhaawano Giizhik's Website,
~ Zhaawano Giizhik's Blog &
~ Zhaawano Giizhik's Twitter..

-
>>> Reference posts:
- Spiritually Inspired Jewellery by Zhaawano Giizhik (Part I),
- Spiritually Inspired Jewellery by Zhaawano Giizhik (Part II) &
- Spiritually Inspired Jewellery by Zhaawano Giizhik (Part III).
--