The Anishinaabe Canoe Migration is an initiative to build skills, capacity, confidence, and community of our women and non binary folx to navigate, paddle, and traverse our historic water.
While this inspiration was pushed forward by Heart Berry and Giizh, it is literally an idea old as time immemorial. As Anishinaabe we have migrated across these great lakes and rivers as master canoers Apane (forever). Due to the boarding school era and allotment our ability and access to this knowledge and area has been cut off. The memory of ourselves as Canoe People cut away. We are working to actively restore our rightful place on these waters.
In 2025 we began paddle practice, canoe classes, and on September 6 a 12 mile paddle down the St Louis River, a historic highway from the last dam to the big water (lake superior).
Tools for Makers
Alongside our in person classes, we have tools to support makers. Our YouTube tutorials have seen many versions over the years! You can learn moccasin making from pattern to finish.
Our Nookomis Obigijigan book hosts moccasin instructions and patterns in Ojibwe and English. Both a tool for learning language and moccasin making. With over 1000 copies out in the world, this tool created in 2015 has become an invaluable piece of our cultural revitalization.
Auntie's Table
Auntie's Table 2024
Our work centers around community. Due to the legacy of the boarding school era we have lost so much. From our language, to family systems, to our cultural ways we have so much work to do to repair.
At Heart Berry, our role in this healing is developing community and art together. We have worked for over 14 years to build a community of makers. We regularly teach moccasin, beadwork, regalia classes across Minnesota and Wisconsin. In 2024 we have developed our own cultural learning and sharing space Auntie's Table. Hosted through the spring and fall we have had a blast being together and sharing cultural art.
Our community sharing about their experiences at Auntie's Table
We want to create teachers as well as makers. We have been co-teaching and building apprentices who can now carry this work on their own. Along with apprentice Michelle Defoe, we created a bilingual moccasin pattern book Nookomis Obagijigan. Our pattern book includes instructions, supply lists, and patterns for how to make Ojibwe moccasins.
Community Art
During our painting of the Pinehurst Bandshell we hosted a series of community paint nights to engage community in cultural art and put their stamp onto a moment of history.
The final mural was celebrated as community achievement, celebrating Ojibwe culture and our place belonging to the land and the many hands that made this giant mural happen.
To inquire about booking email info@heartberry.com
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