Minogin Gitigaanis Society,

Home of the Orange Flower Memorial Project

Welcome to Minogin Gitigaanis!

Our name, spelled ᒥᓄᑭᓐ ᑭᑎᑲᓂᔅ in syllabics, means Little Gardens Growing Well/Wellness in Anishinaabemowin, and was given to us by our Elder and Grandfather Eli James whose forefathers established a village at McDowell Lake, part way between Hudson’s Bay and Lake Superior.

Together with our many partners and members we seek to restore the Anishinaabe culture and language as we restore the land.

Orange Flower Memorial

Project

Created by Myla Jacob and Kieran Beardy, this is restoration and reconciliation activism.

Engaging native and non-native people in learning about the trauma that continues from the residential school system, Myla and Kieran are also creating beautiful places for healing.

Orange Flower Memorial projects are supported by the teachings of Elder and Grandmother Laura James, whose lifelong dedication to Ojibwe and Oji-Cree continues to benefit multitudes of students.

Myla Jacob memorializing the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

Their gardens and engagements focus on restoring native species to schools, hospitals, headquarters and homes, employing artistic methods to bring participants into a deeper connection to the land and her original people. Within healing spaces the trauma of residential school is reflected upon and lost lives memorialized; safe places to keep the learning alive.

Far North First Nation youth Peer Leaders,

leading the way forward

Over the last 5 years, Minogin Gitigaanis youth members have shared traditional skills and language, crafted learning experiences and made good things grow. They have made deep connections with people of all ages, spreading biodiversity and edible forest and pollinator plants along the way. It hasn’t always been easy, but their perseverance and cooperation have helped them move through tough experiences and connected them with new creative collaborations.