Page 01 / Nah gah chi wa non Di bah ji mowin nan / July 2009

Ashi-nisiwag giizisoog

MattAmmesmakiuses a drip torchto ignite aprescribed firein a culturalblueberry burnnear Arrowheadtruck trail

Miini Giizis (Blueberry Moon)Steve OlsonFDL Resource Management FDL Forestry Program has been using fire to promote and improveblueberry growth. This year four areas one-half acre to one acre in sizewere intentionally burned to renew the plants. Indigenous people held the wild blueberry in very high esteem due to thefact that the blossom end of each blueberry forms a five points star. It wasbelieved the "Great Spirit" sent these star berries to relieve the hunger ofchildren during a famine. Why does burning work so well for blueberries? First the top growth ofthe plant becomes unproductive after several years. Burning kills the topand the plant sends up new growth. This new growth produces moreflowers. Burning also exposes more bare ground allowing the sun to warmit. The warmer ground stimulates the roots and the plants spread outincreasing the cover in the patch making more blueberries. The ash fromfire also provides nutrients to fuel the growth. Burning keeps the trees andbrush from shading the blueberries.Recently, blueberries have been labeled as a “Superfruit” due to its healthbenefits. You’ve probably heard of antioxidants. The antioxidants inblueberries fights aging, cancer, heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’sdisease.If you know of areas that may be suitable for blueberrymanagement give Resource Management a call, 218-878-8001.

PreparingTom HowesFDL Resource ManagementAnishinaabe people learnedover the course of centuries tobe prepared in advance for theunforeseen and upcomingevents. Here is a list of thingsthat you could or may need tocollect or prepare over thenext couple months toenhance the remainder of theyear.For translations of thesewords and much more goonline towww.freelang.net/WiigwaasBimiwanaanWiigobAagimaakMiinanOde’iminanOdatagaagominagGozigwaakominagMashkiigiminagAsasaweminanMiskwaabiimizhMisanZhaaboominagBagaanagBawa’iganaakoogBawa’iminaananBagesaanagGaandakii’iganaakMiskominagGitigaanensanNooshkaachinaagan

The world was created when muskratbrought mud from the bottom of the floodto be placed on turtle’s back. The turtle’sshell has thirteen central plates, calledscutes. The traditional Ojibwe calendaryear follows a 13 moon lunar cycle. Thenames of each moon are influenced bynatural phenomena, animal activity, andcultural practices and beliefs. Becausethe area in which Ojibwe is spoken is sovast, not all Ojibwe people use the samenames for the moons.

Raspberry Leaf Tea,Miskomin NiibishShannon Judd,FDL Resource ManagementUse fresh or dried leaves -- young, smallleaves are best. Steep in boiled water forten minutes. Raspberry leaf tea full ofvitamins and minerals and known to havemedicinal properties. More informationon Raspberry Leaf and other traditionalmedicinal plants can be found in PlantsUsed by the Great Lakes Ojibwa,published by Great Lakes Indian Fish &Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC).

Aabita niibino giizis

Thirteen Moons is produced monthly by the Fond du Lac Resource Management Divisionand University of Minnesota Extension. Content is based on the appropriate moon, andaddresses culture, ecology, and the management of natural resources. Comments andcontributions should be directed to the FDL Resource Management @ 218.878.8001

(13 Moons)Aabita niibino giizis is the half-way or midsummer moon, likely a reference to its timing.All moons have different names due to the geographic range over which the language isspoken. The half-way moon is also known as Miini giizis (raspberry moon) andBaashkawe’o giizis (flying moon). The deer and horse flies are certainly flying in July!

Events:7 June - 17 July: Journey Garden summer program (2 sessions), OjibweSchool, Info - 218.726.72352 October: last day to buy tickets for Resource Mgmt. canoe raffle