Sheila L. Chingwa
Bio
Welcome to my world.
Welcome to my thoughts.
I am proud to be a Native American Elder born and raised in Northern Michigan. Thanks to my hard work I have a B.A. in Education and a Masters in Administration and Supervision in Education.
Stories (166)
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War Baby
The first year of Maria’s life was as simple as a baby could expect. Ann, Maria’s mother sat on a mat watching her little lady stagger around the new surroundings that come with their camping teepee. Seeing that the tent had been freshly set up, there was no fire lit inside so Maria was safe and sound to wander freely. Ann smiled as she watched the little one stagger around the open space. She had grown so big, and she thought about the passing year.
By Sheila L. Chingwa2 years ago in Chapters
The Indians of Hungry Hollow
In my book collection, I often visit this book. I won't use it as a primary source but one I would go to in order to investigate the inner families dynamics of the Native Americans. Bill Dunlop and Marcia Fountaian-Blacklidge collaborated to record the stories of his youth.
By Sheila L. Chingwa2 years ago in BookClub
Greenwood Cemetery
A writer’s world is never easy to navigate, especially during writer’s block. When this occurs, I turn to my research in Native American studies. When I was working as an archivist, I was introduced to a website called, Greenwood Cemetery. This is a local cemetery that has amazing newspaper archives of my area starting from 1875 to the current news. Today, I would like to talk about this great resource and how I use it for inspiration to write and defeat writer’s block.
By Sheila L. Chingwa2 years ago in Writers
Birch Bark Day
Sustenance economics, my parents called this type of living, resilience and survival economics. Where there was a need there was a way to meet that need. Many Native American crafters use various materials such as birch bark to "make" a living. I am proud to introduce you to my two cousins, Yvonne Keshick-Walker and Arnold Walker who are Birch Bark workers. They use their skills and nature to craft wonderful pieces of quill boxes and quill work.
By Sheila L. Chingwa2 years ago in History
Remix of the Spiderweb
Darkness began to fall on the two young braves as they ended their hunting day in the northern Odawa forest. The underbrush of the canopy’s leaves shivered with a slight breeze lofting through the air. The two young braves walked together over the leaf and debris ridden forest floor. Through the leaves the moon shown through, scaring away the darkness.
By Sheila L. Chingwa2 years ago in Families
War Baby
Oh what a night it was, late August back in 1950. Celebrations were abound for the family of little Maria. Celebrations lofted across the Pow wow grounds as the men congratulated her father for her arrival on that hot summer night. Maria was born an Odawa child in the midst of a war.
By Sheila L. Chingwa2 years ago in Fiction
Uncle Simon Otto
During my naming ceremony, I was instructed to choose four people that would represent one of the various roles they will serve in my life. The protector stood my brother. Wisdom bearer stood my aunt. A witness stood my best friend. Finally, the teacher. This space stood my Uncle Simon. My four founding pillars have been set and interestingly fit their position well. These people agree to take on various roles in one’s life. Choosing one of four, is an important task to complete and I was pleased with the results. Each person fell into their role naturally.
By Sheila L. Chingwa2 years ago in History
