Indigenous People are master scientists, inventors, historians, and navigators. We have used our knowledge of the land, water, stars, plants, animals, and our human ingenuity to thrive in reciprocity for thousands and thousands of years. The genocide, and truly apocalypse of disruption caused by colonialism changed not only our knowledge of these incredible systems but the Way we passed that knowledge. The US Policy of church ran Boarding schools in specific decimated generations of our families. While mentorship, teaching, and learning was a fundamental part of our way of life, our first experience with what we now consider “school” was one of loss and trauma. Now here we stand in 2025 Our students sit at this crossroads of that experience...
Mentorship is a cornerstone of our Ojibwe way of life. Passing down skills and knowledge from one generation to the next is the foundation of our community. The extended family is the support structure we have relied upon to thrive and provide space for this passing of skills. These ways of life have been largely disrupted by the genocidal policy of the church and government ran boarding schools. Multiple generations of our families were disrupted by children spending their lives away from the love, mentorship, and support of Home. Arriving back with the scars of abuse the survivors did their best to carry and raise their children. In my family my grandparents and great grandparents were taken to boarding schools...
@heartberry.co Sound on for magical native women’s laughter and honor songs #fyp #ojibwe #moccasins #elders #nativetiktok ♬ original sound - Heart Berry There are whole generations of our families taken from our good life through intentional federal policy. These elders were once little children who deserved every goodness, every song, every story, and moccasins made special for their feet. I thought of my grandparents often when I was with them. These generations taken to boarding schools, removed through relocation, and the resulting cycles are true survivors. Their lives and stories are so wild and hilarious and sad and full. Spending time with elders is a gift and reciprocity of the heart. This group of thriving beautiful folks is...
Due to a lack of oversight and procedure the historic burial site along Highway 23 was destroyed, disturbing our relatives during a highway renovation. This heartbreaking and very emotional moment in our community was an opportunity for us to do better and make sure this never happens again. The disturbed cemetery along Highway 23 in Northern Minnesota continues to be restored and preserved led by the work of the Fond du Lac Band. Landscape architects Urban Ecosystems worked with Heart Berry to create a stone marker for the retaining wall marking permanently this site and preventing further disturbance of our relatives. Ojibwe people, like Indigenous People across the world, have extensive knowledge of the skies, stars, and use this knowledge...
