Our latest blog post continues discussion on Decision-Makers – those who are responsible for making decision regarding the wellbeing of children (abinoojiinyag).

As outlined in the Anishinaabe Laws and Customs Research on Child Wellbeing report, the responsibilities of Ngidiimwan – Parents and Caregivers are central to a child’s life. Ngidimwan are responsible for providing for their children and for creating safe and healthy environments that enable children to meet their potential and to live their own Mino Bimaadziwin or The Good Life.  As the Koognaasewin Team continues to support North Shore First Nations towards development of their own respective Child Wellbeing Law, an important and central aspect of this work is that acknowledgement that parents have a right to be involved in their children’s lives as well as the right to be involved in decision-making on issues that impact their children.

As the Koognaasewin initiative moves into the midway point of Year 4 of the project, our blog posts are also transitioning. Previous blog posts have covered the General Underlying Principles of Gichinaakinagewin; Minigoziwin; Debandaagziwin; Mkwenim eko niizhwaaching ankoobjigananag; Mno Bimaadziwin; and, Aanjigone as outlined in the Anishinaabe Laws and Customs Research on Child Wellbeing report. We welcome your thoughts and comments on anything we publish. To reread or catch up on past Koognaasewin blog posts, please go to https://www.koognaasewin.com/blog

Our latest blog post focuses on Decision-Makers – those who are responsible for making decision regarding the wellbeing of children (abinoojiinyag). The first group of Decision Makers are Giigidizhiminaanig or Grandparents and Elders.

Our latest blog post discusses Aanjigone – Non-Interference. As you’re reading through this blog post, consider the question: What are the broad underlying principles that should guide decision-making around Anishinaabe abinoojinyag (children)? Write down your thoughts on the topic and send them to us via a comment on our website or any of our social media channels.

Our latest blog post discusses a foundational aspect of Anishinaabe – Mno Bimaadziwin, The Good Life. Living a Good Life is central to Child Wellbeing. Anishinaabe children and families can only be truly healthy and whole if they follow principles of leading a Good Life. Koognaasewin supports North Shore communities in developing their Child Wellbeing Law that, as a foundational component, encourages and supports families in striving to model for their children what it means to lead The Good Life and to follow the traditional teachings that have always guided parents in raising healthy, happy children who will mature into strong, contributing members of their community.

Our latest blog post discusses the General Underlying Principle of Mkwenim edo niizhwaaching ankoobjigananag – Considering the Next 7 Generations. As with each of the underlying principles outlined in the Anishinaabe Laws and Customs Research on Child Wellbeing report, we’re posing the question: what are the broad underlying principles that should guide decision-making around Anishinaabe abinoojinyag (children)? As you read through this blog post, please write down your thoughts on the topic and send them to us via a comment on any of our social media channels – Facebook, X (Twitter) or Threads.

Our first blog post of 2024 continues discussion on the General Underlying Principles outlined in the Anishinaabe Laws and Customs Research on Child Wellbeing report. This latest blog focus on Debandaagziwin – Citizenship-Membership. As with each of the underlying principles outlined in the research report, we’re posing the question: what are the broad underlying principles that should guide decision-making around Anishinaabe abinoojinyag (children)? As you read through this blog post, please jot down your thoughts on the topic and send them to us via a direct comment on the Koognaasewin blog post webpage or leave a comment on this blog post on any of our social media channels – Facebook, X (Twitter) or Threads.

On this Winter Solstice, our final blog post for the year focuses on Anishinaabe traditions this time of year. The following are excerpts from the research report that touch on ceremony and traditional practices in winter. The Koognaasewin Team wants to take this opportunity to wish all of our children, families and North Shore communities a safe and happy holiday and a healthy new year!

For our latest blog post, we’re highlighting Minigoziwin – Inherent Sovereignty. As with each of the underlying principles outlined in the Anishinaabe Laws and Customs Research on Child Wellbeing, the essential question is: what are the broad underlying principles that should guide decision-making around Anishinaabe abinoojinyag (children)?

In our latest blog post, we begin the exploration of the broad underlying principles that can be used to guide decision-making around Anishinaabe abinoojinyag (children). We begin with Gichinaakinagewin, or the Laws of the Land, given to the Anishinabek by the Creator. These Laws define the obligations of Anishinaabe people to aki (land), niibi (water), and to one another.

As many North Shore communities celebrate harvesttime this week, we’re dedicating this week’s blog post to the important role that a harvest has for Anishinaabe people. The following is taken from the recently released Anishnaabe Koognaasewin: Anishinaabe Laws & Customs Research on Child Wellbeing report (please visit https://www.koognaasewin.com/reports to read the Summary or full report)

Anishinaabe niniwag hold important responsibilities to protect, provide, and care for their families, communities, and nations according to their particular gifts and abilities. Read more…

For our next blog post in the Anishinaabe Laws, Customs & Traditions research report outcomes series, we’re discussing the central role of Anishinaabekwewag - Anishinaabe women.

For our 5th blog post in the Anishinaabe Laws, Customs & Traditions research report outcomes series, we’re discussing Nikeying - The Four Directions, a key aspect of leading a balanced, healthy life.

For our 4th blog post in the Anishinaabe Laws, Customs & Traditions research report outcomes series, we’re discussing the most fundamental aspect of child well-being – Enchiyaang, Family. Family connects us, sustains us and guides us over the course of our lifetime. For Anishinaabe people, extended family is not only central for raising healthy children, but it is also the foundation to Anishinaabe governance.

For our third blog post in the Anishinaabe Laws, Customs & Traditions research report outcomes series, we’d like to provide our readers with an overview of the Seven Grandfather Teachings. These foundational Anishinaabe teachings play a central role in Anishinaabe culture and traditions, especially in the context of Anishinaabe approaches to raising children – Koognaasewin.

For our second blog post in the Anishinaabe Laws, Customs & Traditions research report outcomes series, we thought we’d provide a ‘primer’ on the context for the report. Many readers may already know the concept of Anishinaabe Aadziwin, but because of its importance for both Anishinaabe people and for the Koognaasewin Child Well-Being Law development process, what follows is an overview of Anishinaabe Aadzwin.

Anishinaabe Laws & Customs Research: Forming the foundation of the Koognaasewin Law

It is well known that the current, colonial child welfare system is not serving our families well. Through the Koognaasewin initiative, North Shore communities have the opportunity to take back control over child welfare and create a truly community-based Anishinaabe Child Well-Being system that reflects their vision, values, traditions and beliefs.

In the same way as it is today, childcare was central to women’s ability to work historically.

Canadian law has been and continues to be used as a tool of colonization and sex-based discrimination against Anishinaabekwewag.