Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the Anishinaabemowin distinction between a research relationship framed by the value of the scholarly work, jiigi-aya'ii ji-wiiji'ad awiya, and one characterized by equality and mutual benefit, owiisookaagewin, suggesting new paths to the production of anthropological knowledge.

Paper long abstract:

There is a unique history of Anishinaabe people on the Upper Berens River in Manitoba participating in collaborative anthropological research, particularly in the famous friendship between American anthropologist A. Irving Hallowell and Chief William Berens in the 1930s, an excellent example of a whole-hearted academic relationship, jiigi-aya'ii ji-wiiji'ad awiya. While Hallowell’s relationship with William Berens was about insightful translation of Anishinaabe ideas into a scholarly discourse, our engagement over the past twenty years with these people and these communities has been more open and mutually beneficial, owiisookaagewin. My collaborators include Omishoosh, Charlie George Owen and Jaamash, Jacob Owen of Pauingassi, Margaret Simmons (granddaughter of William Berens), and most importantly Anishinaabe linguists Roger Roulette and Carol Beaulieu. Since 2006, we have been involved in writing academic papers in support of the bid of four Upper Berens River Anishinaabe communities including Pauingassi, who wanted to secure their tribal lands as a UNESCO world heritage site. Now that the Pimachiowin Aki bid has been successful, we have turned to making those academic papers useful in the communities; making the information available in Anishinaabemowin for schools so that the children in communities will benefit. Over the last five years we have produced 6 bilingual Anishinaabemowin/ English books for the schools that bring the UNESCO research home. In the process, we learned that making books for rather than about Anishinaabe peoples, is a very productive kind of collaborative anthropological project.