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.