The True Thanksgiving
  I have never spent much time pondering the “true” thanksgiving. I thought I knew by logical deduction that Thanksgiving was actually the Fall Feast of the Wampanog People, who had taught the immigrants how to survive in the new land. To Native people the gifts of the Creator such as taking in a “harvest” is not complete until a ceremony of thanks to the spirits is done. That was all part of the teachings of survival.  The popular image of thanksgiving is a vision of a feast, which took place in 1621 after a treaty signing which gave the English permission to inhabit 12000 acres of land. This feast was not that of giving thanks but one of friendship. �

Warm Up with Soup & Culture!
Come help kick off International Week and try some international soups, yummy desserts and breads for $5.00 per person and see our collection of history for free!  The Ziibiwing Center and the Mt. Pleasant International Relations Committee (IRC) invite you to an afternoon of tasting and sharing of favorite international soups on November 14 from 2pm – 5pm. This multi-cultural event is a fundraiser to promote international relations and opportunities. The Ziibiwing Center will also be holding their collection showing from 10am – 5pm. The collection on display is often referred to as the “heart of our organization” and includes a vast assortment of materials that

Spirit Feast
Come join the Ziibiwing Center at the Spirit Feast this Friday, November 6 from 6pm – 8pm. The Spirit Feast is an Anishinabe ceremony that honors our ancestors and the loved ones that have gone on before us. It is also considered a healing ceremony for those of us who are still grieving. This is a time to share the special food, photos, and stories of the one(s) who have touched our lives. As we draw close to Veteran’s Day, the Spirit Feast is also a time to remember our relatives who have fallen in foreign lands and may still remain there. A sacred fire will be lit for miijim (food) and semaa (tobacco) offerings. People of all ages are welcome to partake in this ga

What’s your clan name?
­Let’s Learn About the Clan System            Long ago, before the Anishinabek were placed on Mother Earth, the Creator told all of the animals that humans were coming and they would not be able to provide for themselves. The animals agreed that they would take care of the humans and show them how to live in harmony with all Creation. The animals said, “We will sacrifice ourselves as food so they won’t starve. We will offer our skins to them so that they will be warm. We will teach them what medicines and ceremonies to use to heal themselves.”           �

Celebrate & Honor the Eagle
Ziibiwing is celebrating and honoring the Eagle tonight at the Eagle Feather Feast. The feast is free and open to the public and will be held at the Ziibiwing Center from 6 – 8pm.  Did you know? The Eagle Feather Cleansing, Honoring, and Feast are educational programs created specifically for the purpose of preserving and promoting cultural awareness within the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Membership. The Eagle Feather Cleansing, Honoring, and Feast is made available to the general public without discrimination. There are an estimated 500 eagle feathers in the Ziibiwing Center permanent collection The Ziibiwing