The Healing Power of Baaga’adowewin: Revitalizing Tradition, Building Community

Baaga’adowewin: A Sacred Gift and Source of Resilience

Baaga’adowewin, or stickball, is more than a game—it is a sacred gift, passed down through generations as a source of healing, connection, and life guidance. For nearly a century, this powerful tradition lay dormant, suppressed by assimilation policies that sought to erase Indigenous cultures. But now, across the Ojibwe communities, baaga’adowewin is returning. It’s a movement of cultural revitalization, a bridge between past and future, and a testament to resilience.

A stunning film presented by Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) and directed by Finn Ryan captures the essence of this revival, showing how baaga’adowewin brings people together while empowering communities to heal from historical traumas and overcome today’s challenges. As Joseph Gokee, a Bad River Band member and a leader of the effort, explains, this game is a gift from the Creator, offering not just physical activity but medicine for the spirit.

In northern Wisconsin, on the land of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa, the baaga’adowewin program began as a way to unite a grieving community following a tragic police shooting. Under the guidance of Gokee and UW-Extension educator Joy Schelble, it has grown into a vibrant, intergenerational movement. Weekly matches, stick-making workshops, and ceremonial games bring together youth, parents, and elders, all bound by the shared goal of reclaiming this cultural treasure.

Empowering Youth Through Play and Tradition

With support from grants by the Apostle Islands & Chequamegon Bay Community Fund, the program has reached new heights. A recent intertribal tournament at Bad River brought communities together to celebrate the Creator’s game, while funding allowed 14 young players to attend a regional tournament, deepening their skills and cultural understanding.

Now, the ripple effects of baaga’adowewin are reaching Bayfield, where the school district is creating its own baaga’adowewin club called “Omaa”, meaning “here” in Ojibwe, to address a pressing need for belonging among students. With one of the highest rates of chronic absenteeism in Wisconsin, Bayfield students often face barriers to connection and engagement. Backed by a $25,000 Community Opportunity Fund-Belonging Grant from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, the new Omaa program is poised to provide students with a meaningful way to connect with their culture, peers, and community.

The club will provide weekly opportunities for middle and high school students to play, learn cultural teachings, and form meaningful relationships. From crafting traditional sticks and balls to attending regional tournaments, the program will help students find pride in their heritage and connection to their peers.

The Joy and Pride of Baaga’adowewin

Baaga’adowewin offers joy, healing, and cultural pride. It creates a space where students and families can come together, not only to play but to reconnect with their heritage and with one another. A SPARK staff member who oversees a local afterschool program that organizes baaga’adowewin shared, “On days they play lacrosse, they’re so full of light. It’s amazing to see them energized and proud of this Ojibwe game.”

This revival of baaga’adowewin is about more than the game—it’s about building a brighter future through cultural connection and community strength. Through the dedication of leaders like Joseph and Joy, the support of community grants, and the growing involvement of young players, the Creator’s game continues to inspire and connect.

To learn more about this movement we encourage you to watch the film below. Together, we can ensure that the light and energy of baaga’adowewin shines on for generations to come.