Di-Bayn-Di-Zi-Win (to Own Ourselves): Embodying Ojibway-Anishinabe Ways

The book explores the Ojibway-Anishinabe worldview, ceremony, and language as a means of living a good life, achieving true reconciliation, and resisting indigenization and colonialization in Western institutions. Authors Makwa Ogimaa and Ka-pi-ta-aht share their personal experiences to offer an alternative way of living and thriving in the world, based on Ojibway-Anishinabe values, language, and ceremonial practices.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 05 May 2022
Publisher: Dundurn Group Ltd

Indigenization within the academy and the idea of truth and reconciliation within Canada have been seen as the remedy to correct the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and Canadian society. While these actions are honorable, they are difficult to achieve given the Western nature of institutions in Canada and the collective memory of its citizens, and the burden of proof has always been the responsibility of Anishinabeg. Authors Makwa Ogimaa (Jerry Fontaine) and Ka-pi-ta-aht (Don McCaskill) tell their di-bah-ji-mo-wi-nan (Stories of personal experience) to provide insight into the cultural, political, social, and academic events of the past fifty years of Ojibway-Anishinabe resistance in Canada. They suggest that Ojibway-Anishinabe i-zhi-chi-gay-win zhigo kayn-dah-so-win (Ways of doing and knowing) can provide an alternative way of living and thriving in the world. This distinctive worldview, as well as Ojibway-Anishinabe values, language, and ceremonial practices, can provide an alternative to Western political and academic institutions and peel away the layers of colonialism, violence, and injustice, speaking truth and leading to true reconciliation.

Indigenization within the academy and the idea of truth and reconciliation within Canada have been seen as the remedy to correct the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and Canadian society. While these actions are honorable, they are difficult to achieve given the Western nature of institutions in Canada and the collective memory of its citizens, and the burden of proof has always been the responsibility of Anishinabeg. Authors Makwa Ogimaa (Jerry Fontaine) and Ka-pi-ta-aht (Don McCaskill) tell their di-bah-ji-mo-wi-nan (Stories of personal experience) to provide insight into the cultural, political, social, and academic events of the past fifty years of Ojibway-Anishinabe resistance in Canada. They suggest that Ojibway-Anishinabe i-zhi-chi-gay-win zhigo kayn-dah-so-win (Ways of doing and knowing) can provide an alternative way of living and thriving in the world. This distinctive worldview, as well as Ojibway-Anishinabe values, language, and ceremonial practices, can provide an alternative to Western political and academic institutions and peel away the layers of colonialism, violence, and injustice, speaking truth and leading to true reconciliation.

ISBN-13: 9781459748996