Bangii Ozhaawashko Zaangwewe-Magooday

The Little Blue Jingle Dress

Written by Annika Finlayson

Robbed by the horrors of Residential school, my mom wore bangii ozhaawashko zaangwewe-magooday, for you

Robbed of the same opportunity to embrace culture, I wore bangii ozhaawashko zaangwewe-magooday, for you

Robbed of the traditional sacred teachings, my sister wore bangii ozhaawashko zaangwewe-magooday, for you

While wearing bangii ozhaawashko zaangwewe-magooday, we remember the representation of connection to nibi it holds

While wearing bangii ozhaawashko zaangwewe-magooday, we listen to the sound of jingles which brings us back to the waves of nibi and we remember, everything isn’t always supposed to be smooth sailing

While wearing bangii ozhaawashko zaangwewe-magooday, we realize there was no coincidence in the design; you intended for the downward placement of jingles to represent our roots

After all, we all came from our mother’s womb, brought into this world, surrounded by nibi

For you, young girls have honored  bangii ozhaawashko zaangwewe-magooday, as we are the water carriers, for thirty years and counting

For you, young girls have embraced Anishinabek culture in bangii ozhaawashko zaangwewe-magooday by dancing with pride around the arbor, for thirty years and counting

For you, young girls connect to and recognize the sacred gift of nibi while wearing  bangii ozhaawashko zaangwewe-magooday, for thirty years and counting

{ Future generations will continue to wear bangii ozhaawashko zaangwewe-magooday to respect and connect to cultural teachings and ceremony the way you wished you could have, as a young girl }

For you, Granny Maria.