STARTING IN A GOOD WAY
By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimlowin Editor
Chief Executive Virgil Wind invites all Mille Lacs Band government employees to start each month in a good way by coming together for a potluck, smudge, tobacco offering, drum, and song on the first Monday of each month. On December 2, 2024, Chief Executive Wind offered tobacco — asemaa — to Band Elder Joe Nayquonabe Sr. to provide an invocation for the event as over 30 employees gathered in the foyer of the government center to participate.
Nayquonabe spoke first in Ojibwe and then provided a brief explanation in English. He said he spoke to the Creator and all of the manidoo, he spoke for the drum, and for the food. He asked that all in attendance be mindful of the words and thoughts they have while they offer their asemaa and to re member to use their asemaa often. Nayquonabe said the ase maa is a gift from the Creator and should be respected. Words that are nearly an echo from those written by the late Jim Clark in the Moccasin Telegraph (see page 3). He wrote:
“Tobacco — what we call asemaa — is a gift from the Creator. It is used by our people from the cradle to the grave. An Anishinaabe is encouraged to carry tobacco with him or her at all times.” ~ The late Jim Clark.
Smudging is a connection to the spirit realm — ancestors — and creates a positive place. It helps to promote balance, harmony, healing, protection, and communication and pro motes mindfulness and grounding. “As the smoke rises, it car ries your thoughts to the manidoo and the Creator,” Nayquon abe said. He said to be mindful of this as employees go about their daily business, not just on the first Monday, but every day.
Nayquonabe spoke for the drum as it is also a gift. The songs that are sung have meaning and are heard by the manidoo. Nayquonabe spoke for the food that was shared, as food is also a gift. As the food is eaten by the human individuals, it is also feeding the spirits.
By offering events such as this, Chief Executive Wind is promoting the values and traditions of the Anishinaabe while fostering unity throughout the community.