Photos and Story by Michael Meuers


Stember Chiropractic became the 69th business or organization that has committed to posting some kind of Ojibwe language (Ojibwemowin) at their worksite. Michael Meuers and Rachelle Houle are proud to announce on behalf of the Shared Vision Group, that this includes Bemidji State University, the Vo-tech College, North Country Hospital, the City of Bemidji, the Bemidji Regional Events Center, Minnesota DNR, Bemidji State Park, and the US Forest Service. (See complete list below) This has all been accomplished in a little over two months.

Starting out with a goal of getting twenty businesses in one year to commit to signage, Houle and Meuers have now raised their goal to 100 businesses. The team is hoping the county and airport will sign on too. “Wouldn’t it be great to get off the plane and see a great big “Boozhoo” at the airport terminal?”, said Meuers. The entire Shared Vision group is quite pleased at how the community has responded. “We hope to make Boozhoo and Miigwech as synonymous with Bemidji as Aloha is with Hawaii”, Meuers said.

According to Houle, the idea has not only grabbed the imagination of the Bemidji area, but state-wide and nationally as well. “State-wide the story of Bemidji and Shared Vision’s initiative for Ojibwe/English signage has appeared in The Circle a state-wide Indian newspaper, Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesota News Network, WCCO Television, St. Paul Pioneer Press, and Duluth’s NBC affiliate”, said Houle

Nationally, NBC Early Today News picked up the video story from the NBC affiliate in Hibbing/Duluth. The Associated Press picked up the story and coseqently has run in many places across the country. Indian Country Today, a national Indian newspaper also ran the story according to Meuers. “We have gotten calls from Michigan, Ontario, and many places around the state wanting to know more about what Shared Vision is doing in Bemidji,” said Meuers.

Meuers and Houle find the effort to be not only rewarding but also exciting and fun. “We encourage folks to visit the businesses involved and tell them thanks’ or better yet miigwech”, said Houle.

Shared Vision - Cultural Understanding - Ojibwe/English Signage
Rachelle Houle & Michael Meuers, members of Sub-committee
“Within a year twenty...’er...make that 100 institutions in Bemidji will have Ojibwe and English signs at their business”.

We are proud to report we have more than tripled our “year” goal and have so set a new goal of 100. Many have signage up now. Job sites include:

1. The Cabin Coffeehouse
2. Dunn Bros Coffee
3. 4 West Office Building
4. Boys and Girls Club of Bemidji
5. SJ & Co.
6. The T-shirt Shop
7. My Best Friend’s Closet
8. MedSave Family Pharmacy
9. Wild Hare Bistro
10. Bi-County CAP
11. Country Kitchen
12. Morell’s Trading Post
13. Downtown Meats
14. Harmony Food Coop
15. Naylor Electric
16. Cease Funeral Homes
17. Giovanni’s Pizza
18. Bemidji State Park
19. Explore Chiropractic
20. KD Floral
21. Glazed & Amused
22. TJ Design Studio
23. Arrow Printing
24. Bemidji Community Arts Council
25. Northern Dental Access Center
26. Bemidji Regional Events Center
27. KFC
28. Kenny’s Clark Station
29. Ben Franklin
30. Goodwill Industries
31. Headwaters Science Center
32. Patterson’s Menswear, Downtown
33. Patterson’s Menswear, PB Mall
34. Hazelton Family Dentistry
35. Paul Bunyan Sub Shop
36. City of Bemidji
37. Bemidji State University
38. NW Technical College
39. Bemidji Coop – Cenex
40. Iverson Corner Drug
41. Bemidji Woolen Mills
42. Suzy & Hondo Dance Studios
43. Chocolate’s Plus
44. Bemidji Chamber
45. Paul Bunyan Playhouse
46. North Country Health Services
47. MJB Appliance Center
48. Beltrami County History Center
49. Beaver Book Store
50. American Family Insurance, Otterstad
51. The Headquarters, Barbershop
52. Roy’s Comics and Games
53. Third Street Optical
54. Professional Dress Uniforms
55. Jenny’s Party Creations
56. Family Advocacy Center of N.MN
57. Upper Mississippi Mental Health
58. Slumberland
59. Hope House
60. Region 2 Arts Council
61. Bemidji Medical Equipment
62. Thunderbird Graphics & Ad Specialties
63. Thunderbird Trophies and Awards
64. Bemidji Middle School
65. Minnesota DNR
66. U.S. Forest Service
67. American Indian Resource Center
68. Bemidji Community Food Shelf
69. Stember Chiropractic

In the above photos, Boys and Girls Club Director Leonore Potter stands between Michael Meuers and Rachelle Houle, Shared Vision Signage Committee members after installing one of six bilingual restroom signs on Monday August 24th, and at Harmony Foods Coop in Bemidji, the store is a virtual dictionary of Ojibwe words for fruits, vegetables and other foods.

Submit your comments or letter to the editor on this story..

Grand Itasca is the Regional Sponsor of Community Supported Journalism. Stories are paid for through contributions from people and businesses. If you found this story valuable, please become a sponsor of Community Supported Journalism.