The NEA Big Read's theme this year is "Our Nature: How Our Physical Environment Can Lead Us to Seek Hope, Courage, and Connection" and to explore that theme we are honored to host Louise Ogemahgeshig Fischer, Anishinaabe Elder, Spiritual Leader, Artist and Speaker.

The words "Living with the Land" mean more than the universe… more than the earth and skies…. “Living with the Land” covers medicinal plants and their uses, Indian History, ways of life, hunting, fishing, foods, clothing, gatherings, stars, storytelling, Indian games and so much more. This talk is an exciting look into the past, as artifacts are brought into the audience’s view. 

Louise Ogemahgeshig Fischer, Anishinaabe Elder, has been a speaker for Humanities Montana for many years, traveling to many parks, museums, schools and other places throughout the state. She is an artist and a drum maker. She also leads sweat lodge ceremonies and talking circles for the VA at Fort Harrison, helping PTSD Veterans. Louise has traveled to many states to do sweat lodge ceremonies for the Veterans, the VA staff, Tribes and other groups (in the past these ceremonies and other like ceremonies were not allowed. Since then, laws were passed to ensure that Indian people could do these types of ceremonies). 

Brought to you by the Lewis & Clark Library as part of the NEA Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit http://www.arts.gov