We All Thank Them All
Gimiigwechiwiaanaanig (We All Thank Them All). The Aki Nakweshkodaadiwin (Landbody Conference) focused on the way indigenous communities are a network existing between land and water with systems of knowledge and belief rooted to place and reflected in language and life. Scholars from several fields presented ideas on tribal life today and the ways space is occupied by various beings with spiritual and political practices that as diverse and the facets of the places they inhabit.
The project below, much like pictographs of clan connections with lines drawn between hearts and minds and waterways, represents a multi-generational project exploring the way we give thanks to all that is around us. Bernard Perley created the images, Nicole Rice, Monea Warrington and Jordan Mamayek composed lines of thanks. Alphonse Pitawanakwat and Margaret Noodin recorded the lines in eastern and western Anishinaabemowin to illustrate how easy it can be to understand one another across language variations. Cards will continue to be added as the relationship between the land and the people also continues.
Note: If you are viewing the cards on your phone or tablet, tap them to flip them over.
Gimiigwechiwigo giizis zaagi’aasigeyan mii igo giizhooziyaang.
We all thank you sun for shining so that we are warm.
Gimiigwechiwigo dibikigiizis waase’aabikiziyan.
We all thank you night-sun for reflecting light.
Gimiigwechiwigom zaakiiyig noojimo’iyaang gaye ashamiyaang.
We all thank you plants for healing us and feeding us.
We all thank you maples, birch, cedar and pine for helping us to live well.
Gimiigwechiwigom mashkosiwag memindage wiingashk ji-okaadenmaang.
We all thank you grasses especially the sweetgrass we braid.
Gimiigwechiwiaanaanig awesiinyag, mitigwakiin biinitoowaad.
We all thank them the animals the forests they clean them.
Gimiigwechiwiaanaanig giigoonyag, nibi biinitoowaad.
We all thank them the fish the water they clean.
Gimiigwechiwiaanaanig bineshiinyag nitaanagamowaad.
We all thank them the birds so beautifully they sing.
Gimiigwechiwigo noodin widookawiyaang ji-minoneseyaang.
We all thank you wind for assisting us to breathe well.
Gimiigwechiwigo aki gakina gaa miizhiyaang.
We all thank you earth for all you have given us.
Gimiigwechiwigo nibi endaaso giizhigag da enji noondeminikweyaang.
We all thank you water because each day we are too soon drinking.
Wəliwən ciw samakwan matehc wən kətəwehsmiw (Maliseet). Gimiigwechwigo gaa miizhiyaang nibi mii gaawiin giishkaabagwesiiyaang (Ojibwe).
Thank you for the water so no one will be thirsty.