Sam Zimmerman

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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.

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)...

Biboon Waabizheshi: Winter Marten

Sam ZimmermanJune 23, 2023June 6, 2023

by Sam ZimmermanJune 23, 2023June 6, 2023

Niizho-gikinoonwin (two years) ago on a cold Gashkidino giizi (November) morning, I was giizwedin (north) of Two Harbors bine (partridge) hunting when I slid off...

Meskwananiisi: Red Tail Hawk

Sam ZimmermanApril 25, 2023May 26, 2023

by Sam ZimmermanApril 25, 2023May 26, 2023

This past summer on my way home from Gaa-zagaskwaajimekaag (Leech Lake), I saw a chi bineshiinh (large bird) that had been hit and aapijinazh (killed) by...

Giiwedino-Manidoog: Spirits of the North

Sam ZimmermanMarch 29, 2023May 26, 2023

by Sam ZimmermanMarch 29, 2023May 26, 2023

On my first day in Voyageur National Park, while sailing on the water, I was struck by the richness of the earth and the life,...

Wintermaker and the Lynx

Sam ZimmermanFebruary 21, 2023May 26, 2023

by Sam ZimmermanFebruary 21, 2023May 26, 2023

Biboonikeonini and the Bizhiw Last biboon (winter) I saw what I thought were ma’iingan (wolf) tracks in the goon (snow). After taking a picture and...

Friends Gather Together

Sam ZimmermanJanuary 24, 2023May 26, 2023

by Sam ZimmermanJanuary 24, 2023May 26, 2023

Niwiijiwaaganag Maamawi This past November, my niijikwe (female friend) and I maamawinige (gathered) with her family for a minwanjigewin (to eat something that tastes good and...

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