Following the Ancestor's Steps

Misi-zaaga’iganii-gidagaakoons / Mille Lacs Fawn

By Zhaawanoogiizhik / Sam Zimmerman

On July 29th (210th day of the year), I was driving home from a book signing at Mille Lacs when I came across a fawn that had recently been struck and killed on the highway. I never realized how much cinnamon is in their fur. It was so beautiful. I carried it off the road (I didn’t want mama deer coming to it), put down tobacco, and wiped my eyes. This little spirit has been with me since then. I finally finished this piece to celebrate its young life, capturing it on a niibin (summer) morning.

Ke-sh naa apii niishtana ashi-zhaagasogonagizid awe aabita-niibino-giizis (mii niizhwaak midaaswi dasogon imaa kinoonowinin), Mis-izaaga’iganiing gowak ingii-ni-onji-giiwebiz wenji-waabamag awe gidagaakoons gaa-pichibizod imaa jiigikana. Gaawiin aapiji ingii-maaminonendanziin minik miskwanigek gaa-tagonigaadeg imaa obiiwaying. Gii-wenda-jiikinaagozi awe. Jiigikanan ingii-izhiwinaa (gaawiin ingii-misawenimimaasiin iniwen ogiin ji-bi-odisigod), gii-asemaakawag, gii-kaasishkiinzhigweyaan. Mii pane aazha indani-babaa-wiiji’waa awe manidoons. Aangwaamas sa naa gii-ozhitoowaan owe zhizhoobii’igan maamiikwaazonag, niibininig, gigizhebaawagadinig, ezhi-zhizhoobii’ond.

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