Today we started our day with Malcolm’s morning movement rehearsal. We were joined today by Tomantha, Michaela, and Michael from Lake Superior State University. We experimented this mornings with manipulations, effort, and flocking. Its great to feel the bond start to strengthen through the work.
After class, we spent the rest of the day helping out with the Frybread Fundraiser at the Niigaanagiizhik Ceremonial Building. We ate delicious Frybread Tacos, then rolled up our sleeves and helped out in the kitchen.
We sat down with Joe Parish, fisherman and Bay Mills member, who spoke to us about his accounts with racism both during the fishing wars and still today. Joe Parish is also the husband of Rebecca Parish who wrote 50 Cents A Pound, which includes Joe’s stories. Joe also talked about the craftsmanship it takes to be a fisherman. Joe also talked about how humans can learn so much about the world by observing nature. We can learn what foods are good for us, which are bad for us, what helps us when we’re sick or even how to catch fish all by observing nature. His fishing nets, which he sometimes makes himself by hand, were inspired by spiderwebs and how they are the nets above water. He also emphasized how fishing is his life. It travels on down through his lineage and no matter how far away he goes, he will alway has to return to the water. Malcolm also got a chance to sit down and talk with Bud Biron, Keeper of the Drum. They talked about the close relationship between Natives and nature. How Natives need to be in touch with the land because it is a part of who they are and that Non-Natives need to be more aware of that concept. He also offered to introduce Malcolm to Buckle Teeple, a Bay Mills elder, who could tell him about his experience as a Bay Mills fisherman.
