“Edge of the Bush” is an old-time Ojibwe Bush Teaching that describes the meeting place of Traditional Bush Knowledge and the cleared, cultivated lands of those who have come more recently to Ojibwe Sacred Territory around the Great Lakes of Mishiikehn Minising (Turtle Island/North America).
The Old Way or Chi Gete Anishinaabe Inaakonigewin (Very Old Anishinaabe Law) of coming to the Edge of the Bush as Anishinaabe (Good Kind Human Being) is described as Asemaa Nitam (Sacred Tobacco First). Offering Asemaa (Sacred Tobacco) is the Old Way to respect the Edge of the Bush between worlds. Ojibwe Anishinaabe learned this kindness from Nanaboozhoo (Ojibwe First Teacher) and how he first walked Doodoom Aki (Mother Earth).
This meeting place at the Edge of the Bush is territory of Waabizheshii Doodem (Ojibwe Marten/Warrior Clan) because we often come from two worlds as mixed-race people whose families followed that Old Way to make peace by healing relationships across communities. As Warriors, we are responsible for the defense of the People and all the Children, especially those who have lost their families, Clan, or their way home.
Edge of the Bush was created in 2019 as a social enterprise to uphold Chi Gete Anishinaabe Inaakonigewin (Very Old Anishinaabe Law) that has been remembered and practiced in the Bush since time immemorial by the Lavalleys from Shawanaga and Neyaashiinigmiing First Nations, Quins and Bimaadjiwans from Shawanaga, Ajijaaks from Wasauksing, Noganoshs from Magnetewan, Abiitangs from Sagamok, Mkwas from Mkwa Minissing, and before that Misaabes from Timiskaming.
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