February 2026: Namebini-giizis

artistic image of suckerfish, moon and trees

Native American people holding snow snakes from a tournament on Madeline Island

This song reflects the activities of the northern Anishinaabe communities near Gichigami (Lake Superior).

Unlike many other fish, namebinag (sucker fish) have a tendency to rise to the top of the lake during winter months which makes them easier to catch. It is said that they gift themselves to the Anishinaabe people after the coldest and hungriest time. The song imagines them lured by the wewebinaabaanan (fishing hooks at the end of a line).

Zhooshimaanan (snow snake sticks) are made any time of the year and used in winter when a low trench is made and players compete to see whose zhooshimaan can slide the farther and faster. Playing in the snow also reminds of us: zoogipomigad is the verb for snow falling from the sky while “goon” is an animate noun for the snow that has fallen to the ground.

Skating and playing hockey is also a part of the culture today. Children and adults can relate zhooshkwaade’e (skating) which sounds very much like the zhooshimaan used in the snow snake game. This little word part zhoo- is the way to talk about anything that slips and slides so it turns up in the word zhooshkoshindiyang (we all skate on a team with each other) and even the word zhoomiingweni (to smile) which is not in the song but might be used when everyone posted for the group picture the take after gabenaagewaad (they win)!

The last verse is a nod to the common American tradition of celebrating St. Valentine’s Day which has been a celebration of love since the 14th century. Many children still exchange cards and candy in school so adding Ojibwe language to the practice is a fun way to support revitalization. By speaking of zaagidiwin (love) in Ojibwe, we are reminded of the way this is a verb that represents relationships. It can even be a reminder to love, accept and celebrate yourself so that you can love and support others around you.

FEBRUARY EVENTS!

February 9th - No School

February 10th - No School

February 11th - Annual Meeting & Elections! (see flyer below)

February 25th -AIEPAC meetings 5pm - 7pm

ALL families & students are invited. HS students are encouraged to attend! See the announcement below for details!

Annual Meeting & Elections!

Wednesday, February 11th we are holding elections for the following positions:

Vice Chairperson (2 year term)
Secretary (2 year term)
Parent Representative (2 year term)
SMS/SHS Student Representative (1 year term)

Please consider joining our AIEPAC board and/or joining our committee. We want to hear your voice!

If you have questions, please contact me - jennifer.willoughby@superior.k12.wi.us or 715-394-8700 (ext. 10184)

We're looking for an Indigenous Family Engagement Coordinator

Our Indigenous Family Engagement Coordinator will plan events with the AIEPAC for our students and families to help meet our annual goals and objectives.

If you have any questions or want more information, please feel free to reach out to:

jennifer.willoughby@superior.k12.wi.us

Please SHARE with your family and friends!

apply here! https://wecan.waspa.org/Employer/Vacancy/PublicSupport/3631

FUTURE INDIAN EDUCATION EVENTS...

March 9-13 - Spring Break!

Friday, March 13th - Red Willow Harvest (see flyer below)

After Spring Break - Drumming Starts up again (see survey/sign up below)

Tuesday, April 14th - Unconventional Opportunities Expo (watch for sign up to come)

Saturday, April 18th - Youth with Stethoscopes (see sign up below)

Saturday, May 2nd - Geteoodenaang Ziigwan Powwow (Save the Date flyer below)

Friday, May 29th - Native Graduation (save the date seniors!)

Flyer has images of Red Willow being carried by a Native person and a field of red willow

Click HERE to sign up for the Red Willow Harvest Event!

Drumming

Our participation in drumming has been dwindling with the cold weather! We've decided to take a brief break and we'll get back into it in March after spring break.

We've many great drumming opportunities coming up and we'll be looking for drummers to begin practicing for the following events:

Geteoodenaang Ziigwan Powwow - Saturday May 2nd
Native Graduation - Friday, May 22nd
SHS Graduation - Friday, May 29th

But, we want to know what works best for you!

Please take this SURVEY to let us know how we can change drumming to meet the needs of more students.

Click HERE to complete the drumming survey by February 10th

Youth with Stethoscopes - Saturday, April 18th

Youth ages 12 to 18, are you interested in learning about how to become a doctor, dentist, nurse, or one of many other health care roles?

Join us on Saturday April 18, 2026 for a day of healthcare career information and fun.

Meet with American Indian physicians, medical students and other healthcare professionals, and do a simulated blood draw, learn how to use your own stethoscope, practice delivering a baby, using an ultrasound and more!

Register and then confirm that you are coming by March 15 and we will embroider a lab coat with YOUR name on it!

Hennepin Healthcare Clinic & Specialty Center
715 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404
View on map

Click HERE to sign up for the Youth with Stethoscopes Summit

Geteoonenaang Ziigwan Powwow

It's coming...

We're busy planning a Powwow at the Superior Middle School on Saturday, May 2nd.

It's been a long time since we've had a powwow here in Superior and we're so excited to bring it back!

Mark your calendars - we hope you can join us!

Forms = Funding

Title VI and Johnson O'Malley are the two grants that provide funding for our Indian Education Programs each year. In order to receive funding, we need completed forms on file for our Native students.

Jill Bird works diligently each year to identify students, update our lists and send forms to parents to complete paperwork. We are required to have a tribal number for the student, parent or grandparent AND a signature of parent/guardian in order to send to the tribe for final verification.

Sometimes the tribes then require additional paperwork. Jill will work with you through all these steps.

IF you are unable to complete the paperwork, please contact Jill Bird at jill.bird@superior.k12.wi.us to let her know your situation and we will make note of that within our records.

January is our Count Month for Title VI funding - so please get your forms into Jill Bird ASAP!

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Electronic 506 Form 2026 (5).pdf

Electronic JOM Form (8).pdf

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