AICHO welcomes Ziigwan (Spring) with Traditional Ceremony & Feast

​Over 200 community members, from babies to elders, took part in the traditional Anishinaabe spring feast at AICHO on March 20, 2024.

In Anishinaabe tradition, sacred items need to be feasted at least twice a year: once in spring and once in fall. This is an act of acknowledging and honoring the spirits, relatives, ancestors, and other community members and the help received from them. Feasting connects Indigenous people to their own culture, their communities and their spirits.

Cedar Creek Drum Group sang songs during the ceremony, and eagle whistles could be heard during those songs. Anishinaabe youth Patience spoke for the water in the Ojibwe Language. Miigwech Ricky, Cedar Creek and Patience. 

Thanks to Room at the Table Catering and Liberation Bakery for the delicious and cultural meal.

AICHO is grateful to everyone who took part in the ceremony. We are proud to be able to bring Indigenous programming for and with our community.

Miigwech to our Traditional Healing Grant via Minnesota Department of Human Services Behavioral Health Division for funding these cultural experiences for the community. Lastly, miigwech to Ivy Vainio, AICHO’s Arts and Culture Coordinator, for being the lead organizer and for all of AICHO staff and Gimaajii relatives for assisting tonight.