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

PREVIEW:  https://ojibwestylemoccasingame.pressbooks.com/front-matter/introduction/

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)