One of our basic Ojibwe principles is Reciprocity. Whether it's about helping each other during ceremonies, taking care of each other's children, or giving someone a ride to the store, we have always worked together to thrive and during other times to survive.
Manoominikewin with Kaasii Houchin
As an entrepreneur the push is always to grow grow grow and focus on the profit of the business. But Heart Berry is more than a business, we are a cultural art space. We are working to revitalize moccasin making. We are institutionalizing Ojibwe art. We are always working to re align ourselves to the Heart.
15 months ago I attended a scholarship ceremony at Cloquet High School. There was only one Native person on stage, my son. No Native staff, noone giving scholarships, and no visible representation of our thriving community despite the school being 20 percent Native students. Whenever these situations arise I feel I can either be upset about it and do nothing or be upset about it and change the situation.
And so the Native Excellence Scholarship was born. Through the sales of our SovereignT we raised $1060 over the year to give to a student attending any form of post secondary education. We were thrilled to award this year's first scholarship to Savannah Loons, attending the U of Minnesota. When we walk into spaces with our ribbons, moccasins, and beads it changes the temperature in the room. When we show up authentically we combat Native invisibility in all the spaces we walk in.
My hope is that other individuals, organizations, and businesses see this small example and decide they can do even better. Generosity of our community through so many of you is what made this possible. We can all be a conduit for good living and Reciprocity. Miigwech to everyone who supported and let's make this year even better.
-Giizh
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