Centering Anishinaabeg Studies: Understanding the World through Stories

American Indian Studies (AIS)

by Jill Doerfler (Editor), Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair (Editor), Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik Stark (Editor)

For the Anishinaabeg people, who span a vast geographic region from the Great Lakes to the Plains and beyond, stories are vessels of knowledge. They are bagijiganan , offerings of the possibilities within Anishinaabeg life. Existing along a broad narrative spectrum, from aadizookaanag (traditional or sacred narratives) to dibaajimowinan (histories and news)—as well as everything in between—storytelling is one of the central practices and methods of individual and community existence. Stories create and understand, survive and endure, revitalize and persist. They honor the past, recognize the present, and provide visions of the future. In remembering, (re)making, and (re)writing stories, Anishinaabeg storytellers have forged a well-traveled path of agency, resistance, and resurgence. Respecting this tradition, this groundbreaking anthology features twenty-four contributors who utilize creative and critical approaches to propose that this people’s stories carry dynamic answers to questions posed within Anishinaabeg communities, nations, and the world at large. Examining a range of stories and storytellers across time and space, each contributor explores how narratives form a cultural, political, and historical foundation for Anishinaabeg Studies. Written by Anishinaabeg and non-Anishinaabeg scholars, storytellers, and activists, these essays draw upon the power of cultural expression to illustrate active and ongoing senses of Anishinaabeg life. They are new and dynamic bagijiganan, revealing a viable and sustainable center for Anishinaabeg Studies, what it has been, what it is, what it can be.

Genres: Indigenous, Nonfiction

446 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Jill Doerfler (White Earth Anishinaabe) is Associate Professor and Department Head of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota–Duluth.

Reviews

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection. Some essays don't have arguments.

[Donna Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is a scholarly collection of essays concerning the roles of stories in the lives of the Anishinaabeg, never fear that it's dry or indecipherable. The subject is approached from a great many angles and they're all interesting and well written. This book is a great resource, as well, as one can search through the end notes and under the authors' names for more places to explore.