Dream Catchers: Words and Phrases to Learn and Celebrate the Ojibwe Language

Follow a day in the life of a young, mixed heritage Ojibwe child and learn key words and phrases from the Ojibwe language in this enchantingly illustrated children’s book.

The Ojibwe people are the largest Indigenous group of Turtle Island, now known as North America, and live around the present-day Great Lakes. After their land was taken by Europeans, many Ojibwe children were placed in boarding schools that forbid them to use their native language. Though this led to a decline in fluent speakers, there is a growing movement to restore the strength of the Ojibwe language.

In Ojibwe culture, adream catcher (izhi’on) protects people, especially children, from harm by catching bad dreams in its web and allowing good dreams to pass through the feathers hanging at the bottom.

Wisdom Weavers introduces children to the Ojibwe language from an Indigenous perspective. International speaker, author, and creator of Ojibwe Word of the Day, James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw, presents a selection of words and phrases throughout the day while his son learns about the Ojibwe tradition of the dream catcher. Created with children ages 6 to 11 (beginner- to mid-level readers) in mind, Wisdom Weavers is an engaging and accessible way for children to discover the Ojibwe language and learn key phrases and words like:

• How to welcome the morning - Mino-giizhigad
• How to say I love you - Gizhawenimin
• How to be grateful - Miigwech
• How to make an offering - Biindaakoojige
• School - Gikinoo’amaadiiwigamig
• Tree - Mitig
• Backpack -Bimiwanaan
• Sun - Giizis
• And more!

This inspiring story features a total of 73words and phrases to learn in Ojibwe, introduced throughout the visually captivating and representative scenes showing an average day in an Ojibwe family from illustrator Marcus Trujillo, a tribal member with the Pueblo of Laguna in affiliation with the Village of Paraje. Also featuring a brief history of the Ojibwe people and language and a culturally accurate how-to guide for making a dream catcher at home, Wisdom Weavers immerses young people in a vibrant traditional culture while helping to keep the Ojibwe language and customs alive.

Descendent of Turtle Mountain James Vukelich is an international speaker, author, and creator of Ojibwe Word of the Day, and is recognized as a leading voice on the interconnectedness of language and culture. His keen insights were developed through speaking with and recording elders and native language speakers (many of whom have since passed on) in Canada, Michigan, and Minnesota as part of the Ojibwe Language Dictionary Project. For over twenty years, James has moved seamlessly through diverse settings locally and internationally. In addition to keynote speeches for academic, philanthropic, business, and community organizations, he facilitates local community roundtable groups. James has consulted with school districts, colleges, historical societies, and government agencies to develop and teach language and cultural programs, and has also been featured on numerous podcasts, radio, and television programs in an addition to publications. His mission is to inspire people to love the good life by sharing ancient wisdom as a way to influence modern solutions through an Indigenous perspective.

Marcus Trujillo (he/him) is an enrolled tribal member with the Pueblo of Laguna, one of twenty three sovereign nations located in New Mexico. Marcus is a Graphic Designer and Illustrator who is driven to give back to his community through visual art as a creative passion. Marcus earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Mexico (UNM), and currently contributes his skill-sets to the Department of Education in Laguna Pueblo. Marcus also contributes his talents to freelance & contract work for various Indigenous-led organizations, businesses and individuals. Additionally, Marcus centers kid-lit illustration as a main focus to reach children through picture books and language learning materials. This work is meaningful to Marcus because he believes that true visual representation of Indigenous communities can respectfully take place through culturally accurate understandings. Follow Marcus at haatzeedesigns.com or @haatzeedesigns.