Spring is a season of celebration, a time of sap running, snow melting, life emerging from dens and food beginning to grow again. One of the names for spring, “ziigwan,” is related to the verb “ziiga’anjige” (to pour) and the other, “minookamin,” relates to land being fertile. Because many of our Ojibwe students celebrate Spring and Easter we’ve created some cards to cut out and share the joy of the season according to the traditions in your family and community.

Note: The Ojibwe word for Easter, “Baak-giizhigad” comes from the French word for Easter which is “Pâques” which is related to the Latin word “pascha,” the Greek πάσχα (páskha), and the Hebrew word פסחא (peseach). The English word, “Easter” is actually a reference to the Teutonic, Phoenician, Bablylonian and German goddesses of spring and fertility Eastre, Astarte, Ishtar and Oster.