Our latest blog post continues to build off of core Anishinaabe historical knowledge and concepts described in our recently published Anishinaabe Laws and Customs Research on Child Wellbeing report. The purpose of these blog posts is to share these Anishinaabe customs, laws and teachings to support the development of a Draft Koognaasewin (Child Wellbeing) Law.

Our current blog post on Community Institutions furthers discussion on institutions and organizations in Anishinaabe society that have historically brought North Shore Anishinaabe communities and members together to address child and family issues and work together to develop community-based and connected solutions.

A central aspect of the Draft Koognaasewin (Child Wellbeing) Law will be its foundation in Anishinaabe customs, laws and traditions of raising children. Koognaasewin’s recently published Anishinaabe Laws and Customs Research on Child Wellbeing report provides a rich historical overview of Anishinaabe peoples’ approaches to raising healthy, happy children.

The current blog post continues discussion on institutions and organizations in Anishinaabe society that bring community members together to address child and family issues and work together to develop community-based and connected solutions. Our latest blog post focusses on Family and Community Gatherings.

A central aspect of the Draft Koognaasewin (Child Wellbeing) Law will be its foundation in Anishinaabe customs, laws and traditions of raising children. Koognaasewin’s recently published Anishinaabe Laws and Customs Research on Child Wellbeing report provides a rich historical overview of Anishinaabe peoples’ approaches to raising healthy, happy children.

Our previous blog post series focused on the roles and responsibilities of the different members of an Anishinaabe community. You can read about the roles and responsibilities of groups such as family and extended family members, grandparents, elders, other community members and children themselves by visiting the Blog Page.

The next series of blog posts focuses on the institutions and organizations in Anishinaabe society that bring community members together to help address child and family issues and to work together to develop caring, supportive and connected-to-community solutions. Our initial discussion focuses on Ogimaakan shkode – Council Fires.

Our latest blog post is the last in the series focusing on Decision-Makers – those who are responsible for making decision regarding the wellbeing of children (abinoojiinyag). This post discusses Individuals with Knowledge or Skills. These roles and responsibilities are outlined in our Anishinaabe Laws and Customs Research on Child Wellbeing report. To read more from the report, a Summary is available on our website at www.koognaasewin.com.

We welcome your thoughts and comments on anything we publish. You can read previous blog posts as well as other Koognaasewin resources and material at https://www.koognaasewin.com

The Koognaasewin initiative continues to engage with and support North Shore First Nations as they move further along in drafting their Child Wellbeing Law. Koognaasewin seeks to further support this work by bringing forward the stories, wisdom and guidance shared by North Shore Elders through the Anishinaabe Laws and Customs Research on Child Wellbeing report (a Summary is available on our website – www.koognaasewin.com). Our current blog posts highlight the different roles and responsibilities of members within Anishinaabe communities for raising and caring for children. Our latest blog series focuses on Decision-Makers – those who are responsible for making decision regarding the wellbeing of children (abinoojiinyag). This post is on Kina wiya – Extended Family and Community Members. 

As always, we welcome your thoughts and comments on everything we publish. You can read our previous blog posts at https://www.koognaasewin.com/blog

The Koognaasewin initiative continues to engage with and support North Shore First Nations as they move further along in drafting their Child Wellbeing Law. Koognaasewin seeks to further support this work by bringing forward the stories, wisdom and guidance shared by North Shore Elders through the Anishinaabe Laws and Customs Research on Child Wellbeing report (a Summary is available on our website – www.koognaasewin.com). Our current blog posts highlight the different roles and responsibilities of members within Anishinaabe communities for raising and caring for children. Our latest blog series focuses on Decision-Makers – those who are responsible for making decision regarding the wellbeing of children (abinoojiinyag). This post is on Abinoojinyag miinawaa Shki Niigi – Children and Youth.

We welcome your thoughts and comments on everything we publish. You can read our previous blog posts at https://www.koognaasewin.com/blog

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.