In the Ojibwe language, July is referred to as “Ode’imini-giizis,” which translates to “the Berry Moon” in English. This name reflects the seasonal significance of July within the Ojibwe cultural and natural calendar. For the Ojibwe people, the Berry Moon represents the time when various berries reach their peak ripeness and become abundant for harvesting. […]
June and the strawberry would be very important to our nomadic ancestors, who all winter would be eating dried food from the previous summer. But now spring has come around and the first berries ripe to eat would be the strawberry, called “Ode’imini” or “heart berry” for its shape. So the full moon in June […]
In today’s interconnected world, the power of cultural exchange and collaboration is undeniable. When it comes to a Native American commerce website, the question arises: should non-indigenous creators and artists be allowed to sell on these platforms? In this blog post, we explore the significance of embracing diversity and the benefits that arise from welcoming […]
The short answer is yes! The longer answer, takes into account, appreciation vs appropriation and if you’re asking the question, you’re already on a good path to learning more!. The world is rich with diverse cultures, and appreciating and learning from different traditions can be a wonderful way to broaden our perspectives. When it comes […]
Wild rice has been a staple food for indigenous peoples in North America for thousands of years. To the Ojibwe it is known as “Manoomin” or the Good Berry and grows in natural stands in lakes, rivers, and other wetland areas. The origin of cultivated wild rice, on the other hand, is not entirely clear, […]
Looking at all the different varieties of wild rice can be overwhelming. If you’re not familiar with Manoomin (Ojibwe for Wild Rice), how do you know which variety of Wild Rice to choose? This article will give you a side-by-side look at each variety as well as recommendations on how each can be used. Miigwech, […]
Boozhoo! Welcome to Nawapo, run by Red Lake, Inc. and owned by the Red Lake Nation. The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians is a federally recognized tribe of Ojibwe located in Red Lake, Minnesota. The tribe is a sovereign nation with its own government, laws, and traditions. While the nation was adamant about holding on […]
Nawapo is an online marketplace that connects community-conscious buyers with independent Indigenous creators. Our goal is to provide a safe and reputable place to purchase authentic Native American goods and wares. To achieve this, we inspect each product to ensure the highest quality and guarantee authenticity through our vetting process. You can support Native American […]
Vetting Process for Authentic Native American Goods and Wares Introduction We have a thorough vetting process to ensure that all the goods and wares on our marketplace are authentic and made by Native artists. Here’s how we do it. History and Importance When Indigenous people in North America were not allowed to make their own […]