This set of words is for any group of Ojibwe-speaking people meeting together to make decisions. It was requested by the tribal council of Gichi-Onigaming: The Lake Superior Band of Chippewa who are working toward using more Ojibwemowin in their nation. Many groups, including sovereign nations, use common meeting formats to work within their own and with other nations’ governments. While Robert’s Rules of Order were created in America by a former Army captain in the early 1800s, they were based on systems of democracy that date back to the earliest gatherings of humans. In the United States, it is a well-documented fact that the Iroquois Confederacy inspired George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and other founders as they wrote the Constitution.

Image of the Great Peace of Montreal Treaty of 1701 signed using clan symbols.

In the Great Lakes region, the Confederacy of the Three Fires worked together as a large group and in small local communities, to “onaakonige” (to make decisions) using the language broadly referred to as Anishinaabemowin and locally spoken as Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi.

The Ogimaag (leaders) of Ojibwe nations have a long history of clan systems and structures which are at the core of traditional governance and could be the basis of constitutional revision. Today over 140 Anishinaabe sovereign nations are recognized by the U.S. and Canadian governments. In the U.S. they conduct legislative business based on their individual constitutions. In Canada they pass Band Council Resolutions in relation to the Indian Act which serves as their constitution.

Using Anishinaabemowin instead of English allows people to access the full range of beliefs and behaviors connected to the concept of mino-bimaadizi (the act of living well). For example, the words “onaakonige” and “inaakonige” can encompass many nuances of understanding as they move through the four types of verbs – those that happen inherently, those that are done by someone or a group, and those that are based on a relationship with something or someone. As these actions become final they can even become nouns while still retaining clear connections to the act of making the decision.

Meeting in Odanah, WI at the 1869 annuity payment (picture taken by Charles Zimmerman).

Words for Council Meetings-1

• Onaakonigaade – it has been decided
• Inaakonigaade – something specific has been decided
• Onaakonige – the act of someone making a decision
• Inaakonige – the act of someone making a specific decision
• Onaakonan – someone making a decision about something
• Inaakonan – someone making a specific decision about something
• Onaakon – someone making a decision about someone
• Inaakon – someone making a specific decision about someone
• Onaakonigewin – a decison
• Inaakonigewin – a specific decision

Words for Council Meetings-2

• Ogimaa – Chair
• Wezhibii’iged – Writer / Secretary
• Zhooniyaawegindang – Treasurer
• Dezhindangig – Ones who are discussing
• Wenaakonangig – Ones who are deciding

Words for Council Meetings-3

Gakina awiiya gida-manaadendimin omaa.
We should all respect each other here.

Da-wenda-nisidawendagwad gakina awiiya de-gagiigidod endaso jibwaa awiiya gagiigidod ako-niizhing.
Everyone has the right to participate in discussion if they wish, before anyone may speak a second time.

Gakina awiiya da-gikendaan gakina ezhiwebag apane.
Everyone has the right to know what is going on at all times.

Mii eta zezikaa gichi-inendagwadoon daa wenji-wanishkwemigooyang.
Only urgent matters may interrupt a speaker.

Be-bezhigwan inendagwag da-dazhindaagwag.
Only one thing (motion) can be discussed at a time.

Words for Council Meetings-4

Words for Council Meetings-5

• Zhooniyaakewin – Financial Update
• Giwii-diba’amawaanaanig daa-diba’amawangidwaa – Payments for Approval

Words for Council Meetings-6

• Mitigo-maawanji’idiwigamig – log building
• Oshki-maawanji’idiwigamig– community center
• Gichi-ogimaawigamig – council building