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The winter solstice is on Sunday, Dec. 21, this year. It marks the shortest day of the year and the first day of winter. For some Indigenous communities, winter is a season of traditional storytelling.
James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe, is the author of “The Seven Generations and The Seven Grandfather Teachings” and the children’s book, “Wisdom Weavers.” He is a digital creator who shares Ojibwe vocabulary and teachings in his series “Ojibwe Word of the Day.”
While the winter solstice is the shortest day, it also means the return of more sunlight as each day of the winter season passes. Vukelich shares what the winter solstice means to the Ojibwe people, also known as the Anishinaabe.
Vukelich was interviewed by Native News reporter Chandra Colvin. The conversation was lightly edited for clarity.
Is there a word or phrase that describes the winter solstice in the Ojibwe language?
The one I use for it is “biboon.” It is a one-word sentence. It literally means “it is winter.” It's one that I love to share with people on the very first day of winter. It's part of a four-part cycle that makes up the Ojibwe year. Of course, winter, biboon. Ziigwan, spring. Niibin, summer. Dagwaagi, fall.
What significance does the winter solstice play in Ojibwe culture?
It is the beginning of a season. Anishinaabe people worked with the seasons. This would be the time where smaller family or clan groups would go to their trap lines or hunting areas to get ready to spend the winter. So, usually be in smaller groups.
Culturally speaking, this is one I learned from my Ojibwe professor, he called this “Anishinaabe University.” This is a time when you would learn great number of teachings, learn songs, and, of course, the entire series of sacred winter stories, or aadizokaan, would be shared during the winter season.
What kind of stories would be shared during winter?
These are stories that are told exclusively when it is winter. They describe a number of things. One would be the characteristics of animals, their origin stories. Another would be the characteristics of land, particular landmarks, and another part would be the entire series and episodes that concern our spiritual uncle. I use the term Wenabozho because that's how I learned it. He's also called Nanabush and Nanabozho. And he is our spiritual uncle.
Culturalists refer to him as “the trickster.”
How do you observe the winter solstice and the changing of the season?
I like to begin every season, particularly winter, with ceremony. I like to offer tobacco. I like to ask for the peace and well-being, for good health or joy. And that all of my relatives, including myself, walk along the path of life in a good way.
How does this time of year differ in Ojibwe culture?
In like, a couple of weeks, there'll be New Year’s, right? For Ojibwe people, new year really starts in spring. [Spring] begins that cycle of four seasons. So, [winter] is really time to burrow in, to stay warm, hopefully tell some stories with family and friends.
Chandra Colvin covers Native American communities in Minnesota for MPR News via Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues and communities.
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