MIAJA 2021
A Gathering Focused on Anicinabe Heritage
On September 9 and 10, 2021, the Abitibiwinni hosted the 3rd edition of Miaja revolving around the theme of reappropriation and preservation of Anicinabe heritage. The 2021 edition also highlighted our year long research project and findings on the reappropriation of our heritage.
« Weckatc kagi pinabidjitowik, ki wejinaganan, kid ininikiwin ka inabidak tabine kagi ojitowik, tabickot tciman, agim, abwik acitc pakiginekizinan owediwan eta kagibi anomodomak, adisokemagan ocimec nigodin acitc kitci midasomidanan taso pibon oma e tajikewak nid ayanike mocomina ik anicinabe aki kak. »
“Our handcrafted artefacts, artworks and tools, including the canoe, snowshoes, paddles and moccasins to name but a few tell the history of our millennia-old occupation of our ancestral territories.”
« Weckatc kagi pinabidjitowik, ki wejinaganan, kid ininikiwin ka inabidak tabine kagi ojitowik, tabickot tciman, agim, abwik acitc pakiginekizinan owediwan eta kagibi anomodomak, adisokemagan ocimec nigodin acitc kitci midasomidanan taso pibon oma e tajikewak nid ayanike mocomina ik anicinabe aki kak. »
“Our handcrafted artefacts, artworks and tools, including the canoe, snowshoes, paddles and moccasins to name but a few tell the history of our millennia-old occupation of our ancestral territories.”
ABOUT MIAJA
Miaja is a large gathering celebrating Anicinabe culture in all its forms. Together, we reflect on ways to promote its development and vitality. The arts will be at the core of the event.
Miaja means “now is the time” or “let’s do this” in the Anicinabe language. We chose this name because we wanted to inspire a movement throughout the Nation, akin to the already mounting resolve of the Anishinabeg to preserve and revitalise our culture. Miaja! Now is the time to look to the future, move our culture forward and offer our people new paths to assert their identity. The next generations are at the centre of our actions.
Miaja is a large gathering celebrating Anicinabe culture in all its forms. Together, we reflect on ways to promote its development and vitality. The arts will be at the core of the event.
Miaja means “now is the time” or “let’s do this” in the Anicinabe language. We chose this name because we wanted to inspire a movement throughout the Nation, akin to the already mounting resolve of the Anishinabeg to preserve and revitalise our culture. Miaja! Now is the time to look to the future, move our culture forward and offer our people new paths to assert their identity. The next generations are at the centre of our actions.
Miaja is …
A nomad gathering place: True to our nomadic traditions, our gathering place changes from year to year within our ancestral territory.
A gathering for the Nation and its allies: The whole Anicinabe Nation is welcome. First Peoples leaders and key figures from Quebec and Canada are also invited to share their experiences and to discuss various identity issues.
A creative incubator:
In addition to conferences and workshops led by our guests, Miaja also presents shows, arts and crafts exhibits and much more! Each of our communities is represented.
Objectives
Creating links between artists and bearers of culture from the communities in the territory
Ensuring the preservation and transmission of Anicinabe heritage
Enriching the development of Anicinabe arts and culture through dialogue and collective actions
Promoting and restoring traditional culture, and helping Anicinabe artists define themselves as contemporary artists and the heirs of a centuries-old tradition
Providing Anicinabe artists with networking tools, and contributing to the enhancement of their professionalism through an art dissemination experience
Contributing to the collective healing of our nation by creating a positive, warm and engaging public event
