Mike Wiggins, chairman of the Bad River Ojibwe Tribe in northern Wisconsin, offered viewers insights this month into the Ojibwe creation stories and how that affects the tribe’s fight to protect the environment today.
For the Ojibwe people of what is now known as Wisconsin, wintertime is traditionally storytelling time. In recognition of that, the Wisconsin Historical Society has organized a series of free online virtual events Tuesday nights in January featuring Ojibwe storytellers from several different bands in the state.
Remembering stories from his elders, such as Walter Bresette, a prominent Ojibwe activist and author, Wiggins showed online viewers how these stories shape the Ojibwe worldview.
“In the beginning, Grandfather Sun’s heart broke when he saw how Mother Earth was struggling to come to life, so he took a piece of his own heart and placed it in the center of Mother Earth,” Wiggins said.
That fire and heartbeat in Mother Earth is acknowledged and celebrated in Ojibwe ceremonial drums, such as at pow wows.
Wiggins, whose Ojibwe name translates to Black Bear, said he was taught in Catholic school that fire and brimstone were under his feet and he should fear them.
He said it took him a long time to decolonize his mind to understand that the fire in the Earth is at the center of all creation.
