Ojibwe-language signs promote unity in Bemidji (fwd link)

[Phillip E Cash Cash]

Published April 06, 2011

Ojibwe-language signs promote unity in Bemidji

Subtle and not-so-subtle racism against Indians has always been a
problem in Bemidji, said Michael Meuers, who works for the Red Lake
Band of Chippewa in government and public relations. Six years ago,
Meuers came up with a modest proposal to help change that.

By: Tanya Lee, Indian Country Today
USA

Bemidji, with a population of 14,000, is located at the center of the
triangle formed by the reservations of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa,
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and White Earth Band of Ojibwe. Subtle and
not-so-subtle racism against Indians has always been a problem in the
city, said Michael Meuers, who works for the Red Lake Band of Chippewa
in government and public relations.

“There have been lots of grandiose ideas over the years about what to
do,” he said. “Put more Native Americans on the boards of
corporations, hold a big powwow, create jobs — but they never
happened.”

Meuers came up with a much more modest proposal in 2005.

“I thought of asking business owners in town to put the Ojibwe words
for women (Ikwewag) and men (Ininiwag) on their restroom doors,” he
said.

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