Following the Ancestor's Steps

Jidmoonh (Chipmunk)

By: Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik

With the agoon (snow), I realized that my favorite backyard buddies will be gone until the ziigwan (spring). All ziigwan (spring) and niibin (summer), these adorable mii (little) manidog (spirits) stayed with me in the yard, ganawaabange (watching me), scampering along the garden, apabi (sitting) on the deck, and following me around. Even when I’m out hiking, they seem to find me and scamper along.

This is my first time painting a jidmoonh (chipmunk). I love their presence in my life—they are such wonderfully fun manidog (spirits). I added one mitig (tree) for each season they visit me.

Follow my studio on Facebook and Instagram @CraneSuperior or if you have ideas for a North Shore painting, cranesuperiorstudio@gmail.com.