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Maawn Doobiigeng (Gather Together)

Maawn Doobiigeng (Gather Together)
The new classification system of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries

official press release (PDF)

About the National Leadership Grant
In 2019, The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries were awarded the National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The purpose of the grant was to address the question: How can tribal libraries use traditional ways of knowing and being to break free of the colonialist epistemology of existing library organizational systems that reinforce a damaging worldview?

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries include the public Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Library, the preK-5th grade Saginaw Chippewa Academy elementary school library, and the public two-year community college Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College Library. For classification, the former two used the Dewey Decimal System (DDC), the latter used Library of Congress Classification (LCC), and all used Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), all of which employ colonialist logic to classify and describe items relating to Indigenous people.

Phases of the grant project:

  • Assess the cataloging and classification systems currently in place through a decolonizing lens
  • Create a system of organization for cataloging and classifying library materials according to Anishinaabe ways of knowing and being
  • Implement this system to decolonize and Indigenize the Tribal Libraries collections
  • Analyze results and share documentation that outlines how this project was conducted, providing a framework that other libraries could use as a template for decolonizing the knowledge organization of their collections

Cultural Overview
Anishinaabe(k)
The term Anishinaabe, or Anishinaabek (plural) refers to a group of culturally related Indigenous peoples present in the Great Lakes region: the Ojibwe, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi. 

The Clan System
“The Creator decided that the Earth’s second people needed a system – a framework of government to give them strength and order. To do this he gave them the Clan System. There were seven original clans: Jijaak (Crane), Maang (Loon), Giigoonh (Fish), Mkwa (Bear), Waabizhiish (Martin), Waawaashkesh (Deer), and Bineshiinh (Bird). Each of these clans was given a function to serve for the people.

 The Jijaak (Crane) and Maang (Loon) Clans were given the power of chieftainship. They were given the people with natural qualities and abilities for leadership. Between the two Chief Clans stood the Giigoonh (Fish) Clan.

 The Giigoonh (Fish) Clan was made up of the intellectuals of the people. They were known for their constant pursuit of mediation and philosophy, and would settle disputes between the two Chief Clans if a deciding vote needed to be cast.

 The Mkwa (Bear) Clan served as the police force of the people. They spent most of their time patrolling the outskirts of the village so as to ward off any unwelcome visitors. Because of the large amount of time they spent close to nature, Mkwa became known for their knowledge of plants whose roots, bark, or leaves could be used as medicines to treat the ailments of their people.

 The Waabizhiish (Marten) Clan served as the warrior clan for the people. They provided the force to protect the village at all costs from outside invaders. They became known as master strategists in planning the defense of their people.

 The Waawaashkesh (Deer) Clan was known as the clan of gentle people. They were the pacifists. It was said that the Waawaashkesh would not even indulge in using harsh words of any kind. They were the poets of the people.

 The Binishiinh (Bird) Clan was the final clan and represented the spiritual leaders of the people. Its members were noted for their intuition and sense of knowledge of what the future would bring. They were said to have the characteristics of the eagle, in that they pursued the higher elevations of the mind just as the eagle pursued the higher elevations of the sky.

 While the Clan System was in power, the Ojibwe suffered no famine, sickness, or epidemics. There was said to be no wars and very little violence in these days when the Clan System was strong. In the Clan System was built equal justice, voice, law and order. It reinforced by its very nature the teachings and principles of a sacred way of life.”

Source: The Mishomis Book by Edward Benton-Banai

 Creating the New System
A work group / committee of community members was established to create a new system of organization for cataloging and classifying library materials according to Anishinaabe ways of knowing and being. The work group created this new system, Maawn Doobiigeng (Gather Together), based on the seven original clans and their respective responsibilities, as described in the Mishomis Book by Edward Benton-Banai, and based on the cultural knowledge of the group members.  

The clan responsibilities were adapted into subcategories that the committee felt best represent both the clan and the types of knowledge traditionally shared in books and libraries. Careful thought was put into each clan and subcategory, with an understanding that it may need additions or adjustments after implementation. It was important to the committee that the new classification system also double as a teaching tool, with users of the libraries gaining more knowledge of the clans and Anishinaabemowin – the Anishinaabe language.

The Tribal Libraries are grateful and say a big chi-miigwetch to everyone who was part of this project. See more detail in this digital brochure about the project.

Navigating Maawn Doobiigeng
Books are organized by one of the seven original clans, with an image of the clan animal and its name on the spine label, and then by subcategory, which will also be listed on the spine label. The seven clans are: Jijaak (Crane), Maang (Loon), Bineshiinh (Bird), Giigoonh (Fish), Mkwa (Bear), Waawaashkesh (Deer), and Waabizhiish (Marten). Individuals who come into the libraries will find the books grouped by clan, and then by subcategory. The subcategories describe the most prominent type of knowledge or information that is shared in the book.  

Instead of separating books into fiction and nonfiction, each book is labeled as either Aadizookan (factual, what we know to be true, and traditional stories and teachings) or Dibaajimowinan (embellished, creative stories). These books will not be separated into different sections. Instead, they will be placed together with their respective clan and subcategory. Aadizookan books can be identified by a silver circle on the spine. Dibaajimowinan books can be identified by a copper circle on the spine.

The committee also stressed the importance of being able to identify Indigenous authors. Therefore, books will be labeled as either (1) Anishinaabe, meaning that one or more of the authors/contributors identifies as Anishinaabe, (2) Mayagi Anishinaabe, meaning that one or more of the authors/contributors identify as Indigenous, but not Anishinaabe, or (3) Kaawii Anishinaabe-aawsiiwok, meaning that none of the authors/contributors identify as Indigenous. These books will not be separated from one another, but will be identifiable by an image of a food plant and label on the spine: Anishinaabe – wild rice plant, Mayagi Anishinaabe – corn, and Kaawii Anishinaabe-aawsiiwok – turnip.

Books and media will be shelved together. Through physical placement in the libraries, materials will also be organized into three age groups: Binoojiinhik (children), Eshkniigid (teen), and Nitaawgid (adult).

Maawn Doobigeng (Gather Together)

The clans, subcategories, and other labels are defined as follows:
Jijaak (Crane)

  • Gimaakewin (External Leadership)
  • Kina Ezhwebak (Intergovernmental Affairs)
  • Gabe-zhiwebak (International History)

Maang (Loon)

  • Gimaakewin (Internal Leadership)
  • Mnomaajiishkaang (Community and Nation Building)
  • Kchinaaknegewin (Constitution)

Bineshiinh (Bird)

  • Naadmaadsaang (Self-help)
  • Mnidoo’aadziwin (Spirituality)
  • Mnomaadseng (Well-being)
  • Maamwi-noojimaang (Holistic Care)
  • E’jiiskiijik (Spiritual Leaders)
  • Waanezhiwebak (What the future brings)
  • Aangwaamseng (Prevention)
  • Zhitwaawin (Religion)

Giigoonh (Fish)

  • Enweying (Language)
  • Enendamaang (Self-expression)
  • Maanjiinaang (Arts)
  • Kinoomaageng (Teaching
  • Daakenjigeng (Research)
  • Kinoomaadzeng (Developing Skills)
  • Naanaakdowendameng (Mediation)
  • Dibaajimowinan (Storytelling)

Mkwa (Bear)

  • Gnowendaming Aki (Land Management)
  • Ezaakiigen (Plants)
  • Emshkikiiked (Herbalists)
  • Zhaabwiing (Survival)
  • Mjidoodameng (Law Enforcement/Crime)
  • Kowaabjigeng (Protection)

Waawaashkesh (Deer)

  • Mnomaadziwin (Community Health)
  • Mnowangozwin (Entertainment)
  • Ngamwinan (Poetry and Songs)
  • Enendimeng (Psychology)
  • Ngododewziwin (Family)

Waabizhiish (Marten)

  • Ezhishiiying (Skills and Strategies)
  • Wiidookaagewin (Sports)
  • Mnisekweng (Cooking)
  • Zhimaaknishak (Military/Warriors)
  • Naasaab Ezhi-gnowaamdeng (Social Justice)
  • Aki Gwek-naaknegeng (Environmental Justice

Vocabulary used in Maawn Doobiigeng
Aadizookan: factual, what we know to be true, and traditional stories and teachings.
Dibaajimowinan: embellished, creative stories.
Anishinaabe(k): one or more of the authors/contributors identifies as Anishinaabe. The term Anishinaabe, or Anishinaabek (plural) refers to a group of culturally related Indigenous peoples present in the Great Lakes region: the Ojibwe, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi. 
Mayagi Anishinaabe(k): one or more of the authors/contributors identifies as Indigenous, but not Anishinaabe. This group is specific to those Indigenous peoples who do not identify as Anishinaabe.
Kaawii Anishinaabe-aawsiiwok: none of the authors/contributors identify as Indigenous.
Binoojiinhik: children – ages 0 to 12
Eshkniigid: teen – young adults ages 13 - 18
Nitaawgid: adult – ages 18+