Wellness Through an Anishinaabe Lens with Anishinaabe Theater Exchange
Channel: Intercultural Roots
Date: 13/01/2022

Wellness Through an Anishinaabe Lens with Anishinaabe Theater Exchange

Introduces participants to Anishinaabe Lifeways using the 7 Grandfather Teachings as tools for living a good life, enriching all of our life journeys.

An 8 part Saturday workshop series
From 22 Jan - 14 May, 2022

London (GMT) 5pm-7pm
San Francisco (PST) 9am-11am
Winnipeg (CST) 11am-1pm
Ottawa (EST) 12noon-2pm
Washington DC (EST) 12noon-2pm
Amsterdam (CET) 18:00-20:00

Registration:
https://www.interculturalroots.org/product/wellness-through-an-anishinaabe-lens-with-anishinaabe-theater-exchange

The Anishinaabe are one of the largest groups of shared identity among Indigenous Peoples in the United States and Canada. The Anishinaabek extend from northern Canada all the way into the southern United States. Anishinaabe has many translations, “good people” “kind people” “first people” “beings made out of nothing” “spontaneous beings” “those who live upon the Earth in the right way”.

This workshop series will introduce the audience to key elements of Anishinaabe Lifeways through the Niizhwaaswi Mishomisag (7 Grandfather Teachings) and Niizhwaaswi Dodemag (7 Clans) as tools for living a good life.  This series breaks down how these gifts and responsibilities have the power to enrich our cultures, personal journeys, and global society.

Workshop Structure:
Within each workshop you will discover one of the 7 Grandfathers and one of the 7 Clans / Language.
Introduction to the Anishinaabe 
Anishinaabemowin language & world views
Niizhwaaswi Mishomisag  - The Gifts of the 7 Grandfathers
Dbaadendiziwin - Humility
Aakwa’ode’ewin - Bravery
Gwekwaadziwin - Honesty
Nbwaakaawin - Wisdom
Debwewin - Truth
Mnaadendimowin - Respect
Zaagidwin - Love

These sets of values can be:
The Anishinaabe Clan System/Roles
Recap of Anishinaabe/ Niizhwaaswi Mishomisag
Anishinaabemowin language & world views
Introduction to Anishinaabe dodems-Clan System
Gigoon - Fish
Mukwa - Bear
Bineshi - Bird
Waabizheshi - Marten
Wahwashkeshi - Deer
Ajijaak - Crane
Maang - Loon

With each of the 8 workshops, we will go further in depth with each Grandfather and clan and exploring decolonization, truth-telling, and anti-racism and realizing their implications into our own lives and communities.

Writing/ Speaking prompt(s):
Choose a grandfather, and name a time when you think you’ve embodied that OR what does that look like to you - can put in chat or speak
Volunteers for embodiment exercise
Assign grandfather to 2 people
Imagine your house is being robbed and you’re face to face with the attacker - what do you say to them as your grandfather?
Take-Away Benefits:
The audience will understand key elements of Anishinaabe Culture & Lifeways and be able to understand how those values are relatable to their own lives and responsibilities upon Mother Earth. 

For details of all the Arts for Health and Social Change classes and courses being delivered by Intercultural Roots please click: 
https://interculturalroots.org/whats-on