Our bmadzewen [existence] is built on a sacred principle of four. Our medicines, lifecycles, directional powers, and the creation and destruction of worlds are connected through this belief, symbolized by our medicine wheel. Color: White [each color represents the four races of man Creator placed on earth] Direction: Wech-ksenyak [North] Season: Bbon [Winter] Life Cycle: Elder Medicine: Wishkpemishkos [Sweetgrass] Element: …
In mnokme, meaning time of good rain, the spirits reawaken and life is restored. With the thunder of approaching storms, it was believed the mnedok (spirits) return home. Ceremonies were performed to thank the spirits for their winter protection and for fertility as new life emerged. In regions of the Great Lakes, the Potawatomi new year began with nmébnégises (sucker …
“You will find the path to the chosen ground, a land in the west where food grows on water.” Migrating from the east and led by our sacred Megis shell, our ancestors established a new home in the Great Lakes. Here they found the prophesized food on water, mnomen (the good seed) or wild rice. A sacred and essential food, …
One of the most prominent and competitive winter games among Bodéwadmi is the Moccasin Game. Forming two teams, each are comprised of a finder/hider, scorekeeper, drummers and singers. Using theatrics, each team is tasked with hiding a small wooden ball under one of four moccasins in an attempt to disguise its location and confuse opponents. With the ball concealed, drummers …
13in L x 8.5in W x 1.5in H The 234-page medical journal was researched and recorded by Joseph Napoleon Bourassa, who studied medicine at the Choctaw Academy and had close relationships with traditional medicine men before and after removal. Listed are health conditions and their medicinal therapies. Each treatment is recorded as a recipe, noting wild plants harvested and processed. …
63.5in L x 2.5in H x 1.25in W The long bow was crafted by tribal member Thomas Melot in the 1930s from wood known as Bois d’arc or commonly Osage orange. The mtegwab [bow] is over five feet in length and has a central grip. The bow is part of the permanent collection and on exhibition at the Citizen Potawatomi …
15.5in H x 12in W The bronze statue titled, The Future Begins Now, was created by CPN tribal member Clyde B. Slavin in 2004. It depicts an important portion of the Neshnabé/Bodéwadmi Flood story, where the Muskrat places a piece of earth on the Turtle’s back to create a new world. Note from the artist reads: The Future Begins Now, …