Today, I am pleased to announce something new: Anishinaabe.ca.

I’m pleased to launch the re-design of my website and blog and re-dedicate it to the most sacred name in the Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway) language.

Anishinaabe isn’t just the word for us indigenous people from this part of the world.  It is the name of the very first person that walked Mother Earth.  According to our Creation Story, long before he received his given-Spirit name, Waynaboozhoo, Original Man was lowered to the Earth by the Creator directly from the Spirit World.  At first he was called Msko-Gaabwid, the red standing one.  Our oldest story, teachings and sacred scrolls referred to him as “Anishinaabe”.  Grand Chief Edward Benton-Banai explains the etymology of the word as ANI (from whence) NISHINA (lowered) ABE (the male of the species).  For us, who are derived from our eldest ancestor – being Anishinaabe is everything we are.  It is our flesh and blood, our race, identity, language, nation and our creed.

This website will henceforth be known as Anishinaabe.ca.

The new design also pays homage to Chief Shingwauk (1773-1854), the head man who led the negotiation and signing of the Robinson Huron Treaty.  He was also a well-known and respected Midewiwin leader.  Chief Shingwauk has a vision of a great teaching lodge based on the Midewiwin teachings and education for all First Nations people.  The new design also pays tribute to the great landscape and spectacular vistas of the Great Lake territory, Anishinaabe-aki.

Of course, the new website, Anishinaabe.ca, is full of all kinds of new technology, bells and whistles:

NEW FEATURES:

  • Improved design and functionality, through WordPress CMS.
  • Podcast and Video Blog features and functionality.
  • Subscription through RSS web feed.
  • Mobile site functionality when accessed by Iphone, Ipod, Palm WebOS, certain Blackberrys and Android devices.
  • A new logo and new graphics.
  • A new Guestbook feature.

I’d like to thank my partner, Deborah for her patience and feedback, Arnya for your feedback, Vicky Laforge & Clear Skies Photography for the amazing images, Shrabanti and the Web Guru Team and to all open source coders and developers everywhere.

Most of all, chi-miigwetch to all of you, the readers.  I hope you enjoy the site.

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