OJIBWE STYLE MOCCASIN GAME : Makazinataagewin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ojibwe-Style
Moccasin Game latest release by Blue Hand Books
GREENFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS (2017) --- Blue
Hand Books Collective in Western Massachusetts has just released a new book by first-time
author Charles Grolla (Ojibwe) of Bemidji, Minnesota. His Ojibwe name is Ogimaagiizhig Odoodeman
Adikwan.“The purpose of this new book is to make sure this beautiful game is handed down to new generations,” Ojibwe author Charles Grolla said. “Traditionally played by men only, it’s probably our oldest Ojibwe men’s game, and moccasin game has been and is still a big part of our Ojibwe culture even to this day.
“The Ojibwe style of moccasin game is
my understanding and what I learned growing up playing this beautiful game,
mainly on the Red Lake Reservation,” Grolla said.
Ojibwe style moccasin game is still
played on the Red Lake, Mille Lacs, Nett Lake, White Earth, Leech Lake, Roseau
River, and Lac La Croix Reservations. Tournaments
are conducted during pow-wows and celebrations on reservations.
“We are honored to help Charles publish his amazing book with instructions, diagrams and photos to assist new
learners,” said Trace Hentz, founder and publisher at Blue Hand Books. “Charles
is actively teaching this game in his community and feels it’s his duty to pass
down the moccasin game, its history and instructions.”
The new book includes a glossary of Ojibwe terms relating to this sacred game and the history of how “makwa” bear gave it to the Ojibwe people.
Charles
writes in the introduction, “The moccasin game for me has been a valuable tool
in changing the issue of our youth not knowing their identity and what it is to
be Ojibwe or Native American. Teaching
them who they are and what are our own traditions of being a man will lead to a
betterment of all. This game is at least
a thousand years old, if not thousands, and has been used that long for just
this purpose, and being an enjoyable social event. These are just a few of the reasons and
teachings surrounding moccasin game and its purpose and spirituality.”
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OJIBWE STYLE MOCCASIN GAME :
Makazinataagewin
ISBN: 978-0692851906 (Blue Hand Books)
$20/paperback
Amazon LINK: BUY NOW
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Charles Grolla’s Ojibwe name is Ogimaagiizhig (Boss of the Sky) and he is of
the Adik (Caribou) clan or totem. He is
an enrolled member of the Bois Forte reservation in Minnesota and was raised
mainly on the Red Lake reservation in Minnesota. While growing up in the
Bikwaakwaang (West End) area of the Red Lake reservation, Charles became a
contending player of Ojibwe style moccasin game before the age of 14.In 2016 Minnesota Indian Education awarded him “Ojibwe Teacher of the Year” for his many accomplishments during his six years of teaching high school Ojibwe language classes. Along with teaching high school, he volunteers once a week to teach moccasin game to the community.
Charles currently lives in Bemidji Minnesota
(see his photo and bio at Blue Hand Books)
Publisher: Blue Hand Books Collective, 442 Main Street, #1061, Greenfield, MA 01301 (email: bluehandcollective@outlook.com) Website: www.bluehandbooks.org
MEDIA CONTACT: interview and photos will be provided upon request.
Trace Hentz, Blue Hand Books, www.bluehandbooks.org
EMAIL: bluehandcollective@outlook.com
(413)258-0115 (message)
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