Instructions from the Anishinaabe Language

A Tickle Belly experience is the feeling of being lifted off our feet, a time when our heart may skip a beat, that elusive excitement in life, described as a feeling of butterflies or tickles in our belly. A tickle belly experience enhances life, making it exciting and dynamic. It is a time remembered, as each one of us lives each new day full of energy and new ideas anticipating another day and another tickle belly experience.

We think back many years to a time when the family jumped in the old car, anticipating our visit with relatives in the next town. The big hills of the road were ahead and so was joy, waiting. We remember the old times as we approached a tickle belly hill. Traveling a little too fast, we felt the tires of the old car lift off the road, if only for a fleeting moment. We felt like we were flying, yet only a flash in the moment of excitement. As a family, we felt this in our belly and registered the experienced in our brain. We felt atmosphere of sharing and joy.

Today, we find ourselves holding on to those moments of excitement. Aa kii o maa, noon goom, here on this earth, at this time, tickle belly experiences are still happening in our lives. The experience today reflects in tasting the richness of blueberry pie, viewing a creative piece of work or listening to a beautiful story. Our adventures in life come as a time of discovery, once again, to learn our path in life, and to understand the important skills given to us by our Ancestors. The new moment of discovery is the Anishinaabelanguage, guiding us through inflections in life and in language. Meaning in the words connect through our hearts, as elusive excitement becomes our next tickle belly experience.

Koo zhii niizh tells us the spirit brings messages, knowledge and the reason we are here on this earth. We are here to explore and experience our spiritual life. The reason for this message is to help us understand our path. The language guides us. The language carries us along and, we feel it in our hearts through the words – the beautiful Anishinaabe words.