Thirteen Moons, Ashi-Niswi Giizisoog
A turtle’s shell has a unique pattern of 13 large scales in the center – representing the thirteen moons of the lunar calendar. The circle of 28 scales, circling the edge of the shell, corresponds to the number of days comprising the lunar cycle.
Thirteen Moons is a Tribal Extension Program with a mission to:
- Share knowledge of Ojibwe culture Increase awareness of natural resources, and
- Provide new opportunities for social interaction
- Use the progression of the seasons to highlight the traditional uses, current issues, and economic opportunities of natural resources
- View harvest in both the traditional ways practiced by the Ojibwe people and local more conventional agricultural harvest, and Incorporate Mind Body Training,
- Circle Keeping, and ACES practices within the community
It is through direct outreach that the Thirteen Moons program is able to fulfill their mission and achieve their goals. By coordinating regular workshops on traditional resource ecology and leadership development, Thirteen Moons shares Ojibwe culture with others fosters resiliency within the Fond du Lac community and beyond.
Workshop and Events
- Snowshoes & Snow Snakes Sugarbush
- Manoomin (wild rice) Camp Wild foods sampling and harvesting
- Balsam Bough harvesting Gichi Manidoo Giizis pow wow
Partners
- Fond du Lac Ojibwe School Fond du Lac Gitigaan Community Garden Program
- Fond du Lac Resource Management
- Bimaaji’idiwin Garden Program University of Minnesota
- Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC)
- USDA
- NRCS
- FDLTCC Youth Camps
Participants and Outreach
2021-2022: 3100 community members reached
Monthly outreach of 2,000 people in the Fond du Lac newspaper