Following the Ancestor's Steps

Ode’imini-giizis Maang (Strawberry Moon Loon)

By Zhaawanoogiizhik / Sam Zimmerman

Recently, my  niiji (friend) and I were sitting by the  nibi (water),  maada’ookii (sharing) stories about growing up niizh manidoowag (two spirited), when  niizh (two) maangwag (loons) began to swim by. We continued talking, watching them—one would  niimi (dance) and then the other. The bangishimo  (sunset) was also  miikawaadendaagwad (beautiful), from the smoke blowing down from  Zhaaganaashiiwaki  (Canada). This piece features the maang (loon) constellation hidden in the giizhig (sky). I worked on this piece all ode’imini-giizis (June Strawberry Moon), coinciding with gay pride.

This piece captures this beautiful memory my friend  miinigoowizi (gifted me), my first maang  (loon) painting in  midaaswi (ten) months.

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