Concept
The Anishinabi word “Bimaadiziwin” translates as “Life and all its meaning.” I have lived in Michigan my entire life, and since grade school I have wondered what happened to those who lived here before Europeans arrived. Television and text books did little to inform me beyond stereotypes and the so-called inevitability of European dominance. As I explored the historical and current lives of indigenous peoples it became apparent that the perpetuation of language is central to identity. I eventually arrived at the concept of wrapping ourselves in language as a kind of clothing to visualize language.

Audience
The audience initially was visitors to the Zibiwing Center in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, who may purchase locally made articles of clothing—the profits of which would support native language learning.

Process Book