I haven’t shared a monthly article in a few months, as imbaabaa (my father) has returned home to our ancestors. I often walk along the Gichigami-ziibi (St. Louis River) to think and spend time with our animal, bird, fish, and plant relatives.
With biboon (winter) over and the mikwam (ice) melted, I have begun to walk along the niibi (river) again. But now I carry the grief of missing imbaabaa (my father). In the past, after my walks along the ziibi (river), I would share with imbaabaa (my father) the different relatives I had met while out walking, and he would share different stories or his own memories outside along the nibi (water).
During a recent walk, a migizi (bald eagle) was flying above me, crossing from one side of the ziibi (river) to the other. This piece celebrates this recent experience—the beauty of the ziibi (river) and our giigoonh (fish) relatives that call it home. The name (sturgeon) represents our fish relatives and is often referred to as the king of the fish nation. I added 342 anangoog (stars) as a way to honor imbaabaa (my father’s) birthday, and all of our great conversations about the Gichigami-ziibi (St. Louis River).
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