"HOW THE BIRDS GOT THEIR SONGS"
By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor
Travis Zimmerman is the site manager for the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post. Zimmerman grew up listening to the stories told by his Elders that had been handed down generation after generation. Over time, these stories from our Elders vanish if you don't record them or if you don't write them down. Then what will happen to them? They just disappear like pencil markings on paper. Zimmerman has published his first book in an effort to honor his relatives and preserve their stories for future generations.
"My great grandma, Josephine (Drouillard) Zimmerman, told the story to my dad, who told it to me," Zimmerman said. "My dad wrote a lot of these stories down. The stories were written in pencil, so they were literally starting to disappear off the pages. So, this is really about preserving that story. I wanted to pay tribute to my dad, who is now 83 years old. I wanted to get the story published so that he could enjoy it."
Zimmerman partnered with his cousin Sam Zimmerman, who is an artist with a studio in Duluth. Sam Zimmerman beautifully illustrated "How the Birds Got their Songs."
The book is dedicated to the all of the Zimmerman and Drouillard relatives.
This treasured story, handed down through the Zimmerman family, features traditional knowledge from the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Grand Portage direct descendant Sam Zimmerman’s vibrant illustrations showcase his deep love and respect for feathered creatures. And Marcus Ammesmaki’s Ojibwemowin text brings the story full circle, encouraging language learners to explore this age-old depiction of our natural world—and inviting all readers to cherish the gift of birdsong.
The story is about when Mother Earth was very young. The Great Spirit noticed how quiet everything was. So the Great Spirit held a contest so that each bird could earn the song that was just right for its species. He called together all the birds, from the smallest sparrow to the largest hawk, and told them the plan. Each would fly as high in the sky as it could, and when it returned to Mother Earth it would receive its song.
Eagle was certain his strong wings would help him fly highest of all and earn the prettiest song. But he did not know that, while the Great Spirit was talking, the tiny hermit thrush had snuggled into eagle’s feathers to take a nap.
All the birds flew and flew, higher and higher, each descending to receive its own special song from the Great Spirit. But which bird flew the highest? Which one received the prettiest song?
The publication date is set for May 7. The books will be sold in bookstores everywhere on the usual online websites (Amazon, Bookshop, and more) and on the Historical Society website: https://shop.mnhs.org/products/how-the-birds-got-their-songs-bilingual-edition
People can pre-order copies online now and they will ship out closer to the publication date.
Watch for details of book signings with one scheduled at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum for August 18.