Review of Di-bayn-di-zi-win (To Own Ourselves): Embodying Ojibway-Anishinabe Ways
Posted: 05 Mar 2025, 10:35
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Di-bayn-di-zi-win (To Own Ourselves): Embodying Ojibway-Anishinabe Ways" by Jerry Fontaine & Don McCaskill.]
Is North American society doing enough to right the wrongs inflicted upon Indigenous people by its colonialist ancestors? How can it rid its institutions of systemic racism? If you would like to read an Indigenous response to these questions, the book entitled Di-bayn-di-zi-win (To Own Ourselves) by Jerry Fontaine and Don McCaskill will fulfill this need.
This book showed me that the Canadian government’s attempt to open the door to truth and reconciliation between Canadians and Indigenous people has come up short. The same was reported regarding Canadian universities that have added Indigenous studies to their programs. The main reason given for these shortcomings was that governmental and educational institutions ran their programs rooted in old colonial ideologies. As long as these ideologies remained dominant, systemic racism would continue to exist. Jerry Fontaine and Don McCaskill offered another way of thinking, based on North American Indigenous ideology, to build a metaphorical bridge between the different thought systems. If Canadians were to give credence to North American Indigenous ideology in governmental and educational institutions, they would be able to bridge the divide between Canadians and Indigenous people.
Both authors have made efforts to bridge this gap. Jerry Fontaine shared his perspective as an Indigenous chief. Don McCaskill shared his as a Canadian with Scottish and English ancestry. They shared their stories regarding their roles as citizens, militants, educators, and collaborators.
The authors used the word Anishinabe to replace the colonialist word Indigenous. I was introduced to Ojibway-Anishinabe principles of self-determination and the Ojibway-Anishinabe concept of middle ground, which is used to gain understanding in a respectful manner. I was made privy to the fact that Ojibway-Anishinabe thought has a spiritual foundation to guide people in making their decisions regarding the caring for and sharing of resources. Because of this, the authors are asking non-Anishinabe people to open their hearts and minds to Anishinabe ways of knowing and doing.
While reading this book, I gained an understanding of the struggles that Anishinabe people have undergone and continue to face today. I learned how Ojibway-Anishinabe language, traditions, spirituality, and ways of knowing and doing can aid in fostering equitable relationships between Anishinabe people and mainstream North Americans. I felt humbled and inspired.
This book was well-written, well-edited, and educational. If you are interested in learning Ojibway-Anishinabe words and phrases, you will enjoy
the words and phrases sprinkled throughout the book. Additionally, a glossary of words and phrases can be found at the end of the book. This well-documented work was easy to read and left a lasting impression on me. I did not find anything to dislike about this book. I gave it 5 out of 5 stars. Meegwetch to the authors for collaborating to write such a worthwhile book.
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Di-bayn-di-zi-win (To Own Ourselves): Embodying Ojibway-Anishinabe Ways
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Is North American society doing enough to right the wrongs inflicted upon Indigenous people by its colonialist ancestors? How can it rid its institutions of systemic racism? If you would like to read an Indigenous response to these questions, the book entitled Di-bayn-di-zi-win (To Own Ourselves) by Jerry Fontaine and Don McCaskill will fulfill this need.
This book showed me that the Canadian government’s attempt to open the door to truth and reconciliation between Canadians and Indigenous people has come up short. The same was reported regarding Canadian universities that have added Indigenous studies to their programs. The main reason given for these shortcomings was that governmental and educational institutions ran their programs rooted in old colonial ideologies. As long as these ideologies remained dominant, systemic racism would continue to exist. Jerry Fontaine and Don McCaskill offered another way of thinking, based on North American Indigenous ideology, to build a metaphorical bridge between the different thought systems. If Canadians were to give credence to North American Indigenous ideology in governmental and educational institutions, they would be able to bridge the divide between Canadians and Indigenous people.
Both authors have made efforts to bridge this gap. Jerry Fontaine shared his perspective as an Indigenous chief. Don McCaskill shared his as a Canadian with Scottish and English ancestry. They shared their stories regarding their roles as citizens, militants, educators, and collaborators.
The authors used the word Anishinabe to replace the colonialist word Indigenous. I was introduced to Ojibway-Anishinabe principles of self-determination and the Ojibway-Anishinabe concept of middle ground, which is used to gain understanding in a respectful manner. I was made privy to the fact that Ojibway-Anishinabe thought has a spiritual foundation to guide people in making their decisions regarding the caring for and sharing of resources. Because of this, the authors are asking non-Anishinabe people to open their hearts and minds to Anishinabe ways of knowing and doing.
While reading this book, I gained an understanding of the struggles that Anishinabe people have undergone and continue to face today. I learned how Ojibway-Anishinabe language, traditions, spirituality, and ways of knowing and doing can aid in fostering equitable relationships between Anishinabe people and mainstream North Americans. I felt humbled and inspired.
This book was well-written, well-edited, and educational. If you are interested in learning Ojibway-Anishinabe words and phrases, you will enjoy
the words and phrases sprinkled throughout the book. Additionally, a glossary of words and phrases can be found at the end of the book. This well-documented work was easy to read and left a lasting impression on me. I did not find anything to dislike about this book. I gave it 5 out of 5 stars. Meegwetch to the authors for collaborating to write such a worthwhile book.
******
Di-bayn-di-zi-win (To Own Ourselves): Embodying Ojibway-Anishinabe Ways
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon