ANISHINAABE GIIZHIGAD (ANISHINAABE DAY)

June 6, 2023 marked the second annual Anishinaabe Giizhigad or Anishinaabe Day when all Anishinabek Nation communities are encouraged to celebrate being Anishinaabe. This year’s event was hosted by Curve Lake First Nation and held at their community centre. Dignitaries made presentations, traditional drumming songs were performed by the Mshkaaziwin Drum Group and special guest and educator, Chop Waindubence conducted dodemaag (clan) teachings, explaining the gifts and responsibilities of the seven clans. Attendees were then treated to a delicious feast and a wide array of gifts were handed out. Hundreds of Anishinabek citizens enjoyed the event virtually by way of streamed video.

Enjoy videos of the day below.

Anishinaabe Giizhigad at Curve Lake: Part 1 (5:09:04)

Anishinaabe Giizhigad at Curve Lake: Part 2 (1:25:55)

One of the highlights of the event was the Anishinaabe Giizhigad selfie frame!

Once again First Nations who participated in Anishinaabe Giizhigad were invited to take photos of their celebrations and send them to the Anishinabek Nation for sharing with everyone. Chippewas of Stony & Kettle Point First Nation enjoyed a day of fishing and tasty fish fry to mark their community’s Anishinaabe Giizhigad. (You can click on the pictures to make them larger.)

ANISHINAABE GIIZHIGAD | Chippewas of Stony & Kettle Point First Nation

INAUGURAL ANISHINAABE GIIZHIGAD 2022

On June 6, 2022, the Anishinabek Nation celebrated its first annual Anishinaabe Giizhigad (Anishinaabe Day). The day signified the proclamation of the Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin and the adoption of the Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe. In the video below, Kwe, Mary Laronde explains the origins of Anishinaabe Giizhigad and what it means to the Anishinabek Nation.

Each of the 39 Anishinabek First Nations was invited to celebrate Anishinaabe Giizhigad by holding an event of their own in their community and sharing photographs of their day. Enjoy the submitted photo gallery below of each participating community’s activities from the day at the Anishinabek Nation head office and a short video highlighting some of the events of the day.

ANISHINAABE GIIZHIGAD | Union of Ontario Indians HQ

A celebration of the inaugural Anishinaabe Giizhigad was held at the Union of Ontario Indians
head office on Nipissing First Nation territory. Due to COVID a limited number of guests was
invited to participate in the event’s day-long agenda

Speakers and featured guests were live-streamed via Zoom sharing their stories and experiences.
The weather was cool and rainy at times but everyone in attendance enjoyed the day and the
opportunity to gather, share some good discussion, comradery and food.

Enjoy this brief video recap of the day. (1:09)