B is for Big Top Chautauqua (An ABC Book for all Ages)
The book B Is for Big Top Chatauqua was created to celebrate the experience of attending Big Top Chatauqua, an outdoor concert venue in northern Wisconsin. It combines iconic images created by a wide range of visual artists who have appreciated the sounds and stage for decades. Because Ojibwe people have been caretakers of the lands that are now Wisconsin for millennia, the book includes a translation of every title included in the book.
Note: “Chautauqua” is from the Haudenosaunee family of languages. In Erie, which is no longer spoken, it means “two things connected in the middle” and in Seneca it means “place where fish are taken.” The first Chautauqua venue for music and teaching was located near Chautauqua Lake (western New York), which has a narrow pinch between two long lobes.
Translations by Margaret Noodin
Translations
| Topic | Ojibwe Language Translation (with meaning) | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Ashwabay | Ashwaabi (to be watchful) |
| A | Anishinaabe Blessing of the Tent |
Anishinaabeg Ozhawendaanaawaa Babagiwayaanegamig (the Anishinaabe blessing of the tent)
|
| B | Big Top Chautauqua | Chi-babagiwayaanegamig Chautauqua |
| B | Blue Canvas Orchestra |
Ozhaawashko-ningaasimooniigin Medwewechigejig (blue canvas musicians)
|
| C | Canvas at Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua—The Carnegie Hall of Tent Shows | Ningaasimooniigin Chi-babagiwayaanegamig Chautauquang dibishkoo Carnegiegamig |
| D | Donor | Begidinigejig (donor) |
| D | Dancing | Niimidaa (let’s all dance) |
| E | Evening Sunset | E-bangishimon (sunset) |
| F | Free Family Matinee | Wenipazh Inoodewiziwin Mezinaatesegin |
| F | Fans Finding Food | Menwendaagozijig Omikaanaawaa Miijim |
| G | Gate | Biindigenaaniiwang (entrance) |
| H | House Shows are History in Photos and Song | Waabanda’iwewinan (shows / exhibits) Gaa-ezhiwebag mazinaakiziganing gaye nagamowining (history in photos and songs) |
| I | Instruments | Madwewechiganan (musical instruments) |
| J | Jacket on a chilly evening | Babiizikawaagan dakeyaag onaagoshing |
| K | Keeper of the Light | Wayaasakwanenjiged (lighthouse keeper) |
| L | Lawn Pass | Miishkonsing Mazina’igans (lawn card) |
| L | Lake Superior | Gichigami |
| M | Merchandise Tent | Adaawe-babagiwayaanegamig (trading tent) |
| N | Northwoods Nature | Giiwedinobagwaji-inaadiziwin (northern wildlife) |
| N | Native American Community Connections | Anishinaabe Endaazhi-mawanjidiwaad (Indigenous meeting place) |
| O | Old Last Night | Gete-dibikong |
| P | Pew | Desa’on |
| Q | Queue | Aanikoogaabawiwin (standing in a connected line) |
| R | Riding the Wind | Babaamaashiwin (travel on the wind) |
| S | Shuttle | Boozodaaban (a carrying vehicle) |
| T | Tent Raising | Babagiwayaanegamigikewin |
| U | Under the Stars | Anami-anangoog |
| V | Volunteer in Vest | Nayaadamaaged Babiizikawed |
| W | Welcome Cart | Biindige-odaabanens |
| X | Box Office | Mazina’igans-adaawewigamig |
| Y | Youth Programs | Izhichigewag Oniijaanisag |
| Z | Zipper | Ziponendaagan |