One of my best friends and future pallbearer is a crusty old Marine Sgt., former police officer, Annishinabe, poet, birch bark basket maker, and famous writer Jim Northrup. He resides on the Fond Du Lac Ojibwe Reservation, Sawyer, Minnesota. Although older than I, his claim is he will be the oldest surviving Vietnam Veteran.
In the fall he gathers Mahnomen (rice) and in the spring maple sap, using the old traditional way, he boils sap into syrup. A cool dude, his ”Rez Ride” is a beautiful hot rod, 1964 Corvette Stingray, powered by a 350 cu i L-88 with overdrive transmission, which at last count, 2 motors and 3 trannies had been replaced. Jim's wife Pat won the Corvette at their casino “The Black Bear”. It has a custom intake called a “BIG MOUTH” Headers! A fast motor indeed!
Anyhoo we decided to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in D.C. along with Walter -a nother Marine Nam vet- and two of my sons, Zac and Tom. Jim had helped raise Zac, teaching him traditional ways. Off we went in Jim’s Pow-Wow Highway Chevy van, AKA the fuck van.
Along the way we were to stop at this college in Ohio where famous writer Jim Northrup would do a reading. This gig was on a Sunday at 'Bandersnatch' Hall, which we could not find. Riding around the hilly campus with windows rolled down, Zac was gonna ask this black chick where 'Bandersnatch' was? We all yelled “Gawheen” (No!!)...ask that white dude.
Anyhoo, Jim and I had been practicing in Ojibwe his opening lines. I was to interpret his Ojibwe to English. We had it all down and everything was cool. As the 85 or so audience members settled in, Jim passed around his birch bark basket, which was made the traditional way, by hand, used to separate the Hulls of Mahnomen (rice). I watched people putting money in the basket, “it's Sunday” just like in church! Hey Jim! They're fillin' your basket with “JINGWAH”. Jim announced what the Ojibwe used the basket for and that he didn't want to collect money! The count at that time was $28.00! I was all for it, but Jim said Gawheen!
As the time came for his reading , famous writer Jim Northrup announced that his friend Ray Earley would interpret what his Ojibwe words meant. As Jim started his introduction, I noticed a girl in a mini skirt sit down in front. She had one of the nicest sets of legs I had seen in awhile. She knew it. I knew it! As I stared at her legs, she uncrossed them. Smiling, she recrossed them, giving me a great “Beaver Shot”. My mind went blank. The next thing I knew the audience and Jim “famous writer” Northrup were all looking at me. My response was
“what”? Jim announced I had gone somewhere.
From then on, he has done his own interpretation! Here is what was said: Boozhoo niijii-bimadiziig...hello myfellow human beings. Bangii etago ninintaa-Ojibwem....I only know a little Ojibwe. Ninga-gagwejitoon ji Ojiwemoyaa....I'll try speaking Ojibwe. Jim Northrup niin indizinikaaz zhaaganaashimong....My name in the Ojiwemoyaa....I'll try speaking Ojibwe. Jim Northrup niin indizinikaaz zhaaganaashimong....My name in the English language is Jim NorthrupChi-benesi indigoo Ojibwemong...I am called Chi-benesi in OjibweNaagachiwaanang niin indoonjibaaa....I am from the Fond du Lac ReservationGwabaa'iganing indaa....I live in the village of SawyerIngii-ojibiiyaan izhiwebak ishkoniganing miinawaa Anishinaabe akiing....I write how it is on the Reservation and in Indian Country.giinitam
The next morning our adventure would continue. It was off to DC. That's another story.Thanks to MY FRIEND Jim Northrup for helping me with this story. He did the Ojibwe. Jim can be visited at http://www.jimnorthrup.org/.
No comments:
Post a Comment