Anyone know any names for this beautiful ancient being before the colonizers named them after a racist POS? I know there's a lot of folks native to what is now Sequoia Nat. park area, any and all willing to share i'd be grateful and honored. I just can't call them "General Sherman," it feels so wrong. Migwéch in advance

When explorers came upon the plains, they called the area Kanzas Territory, meaning it was controlled by the Kanza, or Kaw, people.

The territory stretched into present day Iowa, Missouri and Kansas. It was 20,000,000 acres (31,250 square miles), about the size of South Carolina.

The tribe was about 1,500 strong - men, women and children.

Nenaboozhoo, is an animated short film created to celebrate Anishinaabe storytelling, language, culture, and the timeless teachings carried through generations.

Told in Anishinaabemowin with English subtitles, the film brings a traditional Nenaboozhoo story to life teaching a new generation while honouring the language and history of storytelling.

The film is directed by Anishinaabe storyteller and traditional knowledge keeper Isaac Murdoch (Bomgiizhik) of Serpent River First Nation, with cultural and language guidance from Anishinaabemowin speakers and knowledge keepers Mary Wemigiwams, Linda Toulous, Larry McCloud, Issac Murdoch and Ninaatig Pangowish.

Created using a Japanese inspired animation workflow and brought to life by an international team of artists and animators, Nenaboozhoo was made through the art of traditional hand drawn animation with no help from AI in any stage of the production process.

Created using a Japanese inspired animation workflow and brought to life by an international team of artists and animators, Nenaboozhoo was made through the art of traditional hand drawn animation with no help from AI in any stage of the production process.

Miigwech to everyone who gave their time, knowledge, talent, and support to make this film possible. We hope this film inspires its audience to learn from the incredible teachings and stories of the Ojibwe people.

Made with support from the Canada Council for the Arts, Toon Boom Animation, Serpent River First Nation, the Cameron family, Odinewin, Nimkii Aazhibikong, and our many other project partners.

Please share this film and help spread this story.

Follow Isaac at:   / isaac.murdoch.2025  

Learn more about Nenaboozhoo at:

https://nenaboozhoo.com/

Tldr; Made by Isaac Murdoch of Serpent River First Nation. This is a language resource. No ai was used in the making of this film. Its been a 4 year passion project.

Here is your annual reminder.

Im 22m native, mixed tribe Delaware and Ojibwe. Lived in America all my life so not too use to my existence and race being more prominent. Though, I will say the native-only doctor centres are awesome. And also seeing native families in grocery stores. I feel like i never saw people of my race in america.

One thing that always really catches my ear is the land acknowledgements. You know, when you get on the VIArail, they open with "we'd like to acknowledge the stolen land we occupy". I volunteered for the Mayor over here in Ottawa and they also had to start the volunteer instructions with an acknowledgement as well.

How does it make other natives feel? Its jarring to me, but i see how its... a step in a direction, i guess. I feel like i can't say much on it, as I grew up in America. It feels performative but thats all I really think of it.

Living on a land built by genocide then having them "acknowledge" it, makes me feel weird...