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U.S. Forest Service


Chippewa NF Visitors Adding Ojibwemowin to Wildflower Vocabulary

By Melissa Rickers on Jul 7, 2010

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Visitors to the Norway Beach Visitor Center are adding even more names, this time, Ojibwemowin (in Ojibwe language) to their wildflower vocabulary.

There are over 1,000 species of flowering plants found on the Chippewa National Forest, with an even wider group of common names used for the same plant. Clintonia or Blue Bead lily, Columbine or Honeysuckle, Wintergreen or Checkerberry are all examples of multiple common names. Visitors to the Norway Beach Visitor Center are adding even more names, this time, Ojibwemowin (in Ojibwe language) to their wildflower vocabulary. And so this month of wild fruits we learn mina, for blueberry and zhaaboomin for gooseberry and Miini Giizis for blueberry moon.

In 2010, naturalists at the Norway Beach Visitor Center decided to add an Ojibwe language and traditional use component to the standard wildflower hike. Leading the effort is naturalist Brenda Fairbanks. Brenda is a recent graduate from the Leech Lake Tribal College, and works with the Tribal College STEM program-Science, Technology, Engineering and Math career program.

Brenda has worked with the Forest for three years, and each year has developed a new Ojibwe Language program. In 2008, Brenda worked with the Dikinagon Early Childhood Center to put together language programs with the preschool groups. In 2009, she and naturalist Mary Nordeen developed a number of special interpretive programs focusing on Ojibwe language, including "Breakfast in Ojibwe" which included serving breakfast to campers, as long as they could translate their eggs or bacon into this second language.

In 2010, we've added the Wildflowers In Ojibwemowin hike to the naturalist schedule, every Friday at 10:00 a.m. As the season progresses, Brenda has transitioned to Tree in Ojibwemowin as well. And if guests still are interested in learning more, they can stop by any Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. for "20 Minute Ojibwe Language Lesson". At this program they can learn names for common wildlife, greetings, and even common camping activities such as campfires and fishing.

Liz Bockstiegel, lead naturalist at the Visitor Center, posts the weather report in English and Ojibwe, cautioning boaters to stay safe on noodinoon (windy) days! A tour of the visitor center displays at Norway Beach also introduces families to the maahng (loon), tank of gigoozens (minnows), tracks of the makwa (bear) and even the bark of the Ahgimak (ash). It's a learning experience for all...Ojibwemowin.