Sam Zimmerman

48 Posts - 0 Comments

When he isn't working as a Special Education Director in Duluth, raising his two cats, or in his studio painting, Sam Zimmerman is outside hiking, fishing, or sketching along the shores of Gitchi Gami. He is currently working on his first book of paintings with stories in English and Ojibwemowin.

Kitchibitobig Ma’iingan: Grand Marais Wolf

Sam ZimmermanFebruary 26, 2024

by Sam ZimmermanFebruary 26, 2024

This past Gashkadino-Giizis (Freezing Moon/November), my niiji (friend) and I had a Dark Skies gallery reception in Kitchibitobig (Grand Marais). Afterwards, we got in the car to head zhaawanong (south) to Onigamiising (Duluth). We were...

Waawaate Waagosh (Northern Lights Fox)

Sam ZimmermanDecember 26, 2023

by Sam ZimmermanDecember 26, 2023

The last time I was out looking up at the waawaate (northern lights), I was parked on top of a hill in Onigamiising (Duluth). I turned my...

Gaa-Kizhaadaged Makwa (Bear Guards Fire and Friends)

Sam ZimmermanNovember 28, 2023

by Sam ZimmermanNovember 28, 2023

My East Coast niijii (friend) and family flew to Minnesota for an exhibition ishwaaso-anama’e-giizhik (a few weeks) back. It was their first time odishiwe (visiting) Minnesota, meeting my ingitiziimag (parents) and siblings,...

Misi-zaaga’iganii-gidagaakoons (Mille Lacs Fawn)

Sam ZimmermanNovember 28, 2023October 31, 2023

by Sam ZimmermanNovember 28, 2023October 31, 2023

On July 29th (210th day of the year), I was driving home from a book signing at Mille Lacs when I came across a fawn that...

Otawage-gookooko’oo (Great Horned Owl)

Sam ZimmermanOctober 24, 2023September 27, 2023

by Sam ZimmermanOctober 24, 2023September 27, 2023

In Manoominike-giizis (August/Ricing Moon), I had just passed through Superior heading to Prairie Island when I saw a large bineshiinh (bird) on the side of the road. I passed...

Ode’imini-giizis Maang: Strawberry Moon Loon

Sam ZimmermanSeptember 27, 2023September 5, 2023

by Sam ZimmermanSeptember 27, 2023September 5, 2023

Recently, my niiji (friend) and I were sitting by the nibi (water), maada’ookii (sharing) stories about growing up niizh manidoowag (two spirited), when niizh (two) maangwag (loons) began to swim by. We continued talking, watching...

Gichi-Onigaming Bizhiki: Grand Portage Bison

Sam ZimmermanAugust 28, 2023July 24, 2023

by Sam ZimmermanAugust 28, 2023July 24, 2023

Gichi-Onigaming (Grand Portage) received niizhwaaswi (seven) bizhiki (bison) to begin its okwiinowag (herd) this past Iskigamizige-giizis (April). One of the bizhiki (bison) was ningigishkawaawas (pregnant) when it arrived. Among the adults, a little light colored bizhikiins (calf) stands...

The Crane Carries Medicine

Sam ZimmermanJuly 6, 2023June 30, 2023

by Sam ZimmermanJuly 6, 2023June 30, 2023

Obimiwidoon mashkikii a’aw ajijiaak When I lived on the east coast and found myself with a nigashkendam (heavy heart) and manidoo (spirit), I would giiwe (go or come home) to my doodem (clan/family)...

Load more posts