In Zaagibagaa-giizis (May), I needed to step away from my studio and computer screen for a bit, so I went agwajiing (outside) and walked along Gitchi Gami (Lake Superior). As I was outside, a beautiful waawaaskeshii (deer) came and stood in front of me. She watched me while I put down aseema (tobacco) and breathed the air. She wasn’t afraid and she turned her head to listen. She stood still, staring at me for a few minutes, but animinizhimo (she didn’t run away scared). Her ears were moving, listening for threats, but I wasn’t one. The cinnamon, tans, and ozaawadowe (brown fur) shimmered as the giizis (sun) was setting. I just breathed, watching her, and I was thankful for her visit with me.
