Giiwedino-Manidoog Mural Unvelied at Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs Conservancy and the National Park Service are honored to present a new mural, Giiwedino-Manidoog / Spirits of the North, located at Voyageurs National Park. This vibrant mural by Sam Zimmerman illuminates the indigenous culture that has and continues to influence the park.
Giiwedino-Manidoog / Spirits of the North by Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik
Rich with symbolism, the painting features 16,866 stars for every day Voyageurs National Park has been open to the public. “The story of this piece is to celebrate the beauty of the land, water and sky, the animal spirits of the park, while also serving as a reminder to visitors that the park sits on ancestral Anishinaabe and Ojibwe homes and indigenous culture was and is part of the story of the park,” Zimmerman writes.
Zimmerman working on the three-panel mural at the Ash River Visitor Center
Sam Zimmerman served as a Community Artist & Educator at Voyageurs National Park in June, 2022. Zimmerman - a Grand Portage direct descendant - is a painter, author, and educator based in Duluth, Minnesota. He passionately believes in artistic expression as a gateway for education and cultural understanding. His work continues the Anishinaabe tradition of storytelling, with themes of environmental stewardship and conservation. His work has been showcased in gallery and public installations throughout the nation and abroad.
"The Voyageurs Conservancy was proud to partner with Sam Zimmerman on this project to celebrate and share Ojibwe art, stories, and community. Sam's piece illuminates the beauty of the skies, waters, rocks, wildlife and stories of what is today Voyageurs National Park, lands that were inhabited by Indigenous peoples for over 10,000 years," shared Christina Hausman Rhode, executive director of the park's nonprofit partner who funded the project.
Sam Zimmerman (Right) and Christina Hausman Rhode (Left), Executive Director of Voyageurs Conservancy
Over 40 visitors and community members gathered to celebrate the unveiling of the mural. This three-panel painting not only celebrates the natural wonders of the park, but serves as a gateway for conversation and cultural understanding. The public is encouraged to visit this inspiring piece of art this summer. The mural will be on display at the Ash River Visitor Center through July, then at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center in August.
Narrative of Giiwedino-Manidoog / Spirits of the North by Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik
With my first day in the park, being out sailing on the water - I was struck by the richness of the earth, and the life, spirit, and the power of the water. This piece is to celebrate the beauty of the land, water and sky, the animal spirits of the land, while also serving as a reminder to visitors that the park sits on ancestral Anishinaabe and Ojibwe homes. The Ojibwe constellations serve as this reminder as Ojibwe people have looked up at the stars for a millennium to tell stories. The Ojibwe culture and stories were and continue to be a part of the story of the Voyageur National Park.
Ojibwe Language Translation by Mandioo Ma’iingan
Weshkad imaa gii-niingaasimoonowaan nigii-maaminonendaan wiin iye epiichi-onizhishing iye aki, epiichi-bazhishigendaagok iye bimaadiziwin, naa ge epiichi-mashkaagamig iye sa nibi. Onjida go naa nigii-shizhoobii’aan owe ji-waabanda’amaan iye epiichi-maamakaadendaagokin iye aki, nibi, giizhik, naa go ge igiyeg aadizookaanag, miziwe bago eyaawaad. Boochi igo ji-mikwenda’indwaa igiyeg biiwideg imaa sa Anishinaabewaking bimi-ayaawag, memindage omaampii jiigibiig. Shke naa ge igiyeg moozhekanag, pane-ko gaa-onjiseg iye bimaadiziwin ogii-kanawaabamigowaan iniyen Anishinaaben. Mii imaa wezi-aadizookeng. Mii apane ingiyeg anishinaabeg ogii-tibaadodaan iye sa aki, biinish igo omaapii Gichi-onigaming.
Zimmerman unveiling Giiwedino-Manidoog
Visitors admiring the new mural