Following the Ancestor's Steps

Gichi-Onigaming Bizhiki Grand Portage Bison

By Zhaawanoogiizhik / Sam Zimmerman

Gichi-Onigaming (Grand Portage) received  niizhwaaswi  (seven) bizhiki  (bison) to begin its okwiinowag (herd) this past  Iskigamizige-giizis (April). One of the bizhiki (bison) was  ningigishkawaawas  (pregnant) when it arrived. Among the adults, a little light colored bizhikiins (calf) stands out among the larger and darker niizhwaaswi (seven) adults.

With bizhiki (bison) being at  Gichi-Onigaming (Grand Portage), I wanted to  jiikakamigad (celebrate) the recent birth of the  bizhikiins (calf), capturing the  nimaamaa (mother) and  abinoojiinyens  (baby) sharing an intimate moment in the quiet  mookise (morning/dawn) light. The addition of this little one brings a promise of new beginnings.

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