Niniijaanis
Culturally-relevant early learning materials for children birth-6, Indigenous made.
* * *One of Ones
Indigenous made collectibles and essentials.
Keep clean clothes and work in style while building a cultural identity with the #Niniijaanis Primary Indigenous Montessori Ribbon Apron, brought to you by Janice LaFloe. Made on Occupied Anishinaabe/Dakota Territory | Saint Paul, MN.
Details
Hand made by Janice LaFloe
Working ribbon apron for 3-6 years of age
Pair of matching napkins (2)
Hook and Eye closure
Curriculum included with purchase
Size
Apron: 22 1/4” L x 17” W
Waist tie: 12” L expandable to 22” L
Napkins: 5 1/4 “ L x 5 1/4 “ W approximately
Materials
Cotton
Ribbon
Elastic necktie and waist tie
Hook and eye
Investments ($50.00)
50% ($25) Directly to artist Janice LaFloe
50% ($25) fundraised for Niniijaanis Giveaways
Step out to your next pow wow in the #OneofOnes Violet Floral Beaded Shoes, brought to you by Hannah Smith. Made on Occupied Anishinaabe/Dakota Territory | Duluth, MN.
Details
Beaded fronts
Beadwork whip stitched stable but removable and reusable
Shoe can be worn as a lace-up or classic slip on with convertible elastic laces
Size
9.5 Mens or 11.5 Womens
Materials
Size 11 glass beads
Air Speed “The Switch” shoe
Investments ($375.00)
75% ($300.00) Directly to artist Hannah Smith
25% ($75.00) fundraised for Niniijaanis Giveaways
Come through just sacred with this ribbon tote inspired by our favorite Native designer Amber Buckanaga. The #OneofOnes Amber Ribbon Tote Bag, brought to you by Brook LaFloe. Made on Occupied Anishinaabe/Dakota Territory | Saint Paul, MN.
Details
Beaded pocket face
Extra large stripe tote bag
Ribbon sides
Zip closure
Adjustable cross-body/shoulder strap
Handles
Size
23 1/2“ L x 6” W x 515 1/2” H, expands to 12 1/2” W
Materials
Ribbon
Size 11 and 12 glass beads
Zipper
Cotton
Polyester
Investments ($312.50)
75% ($250.00) Directly to artist Brook LaFloe
25% ($62.50) fundraised for Niniijaanis Giveaways
Purchasing this digital gift card creates a unique code. The gift card recipient can enter this code at checkout to subtract the gift card value from their order total.
This gift card never expires.
Digital Gift Card Values Include:
$25.00
$50.00
$75.00
$100.00
Keep clean clothes and work in style while building a cultural identity with the #Niniijaanis Toddler Indigenous Montessori Ribbon Apron, brought to you by Janice LaFloe. Made on Occupied Anishinaabe/Dakota Territory | Saint Paul, MN.
Details
Hand made by Janice LaFloe
Working ribbon apron for 1-3 years of age, once walking
Pair of matching napkins (2)
Velcro closure
Elastic necktie
Curriculum included with purchase
Size
Apron: 18 3/4 ” L x 13 1/2” W
Waist tie: 13 1/4” L
Napkins: 4” x 4” approximately
Materials
Cotton
Ribbon
Elastic
Velcro
Investments ($45.00)
As part of the social benefit of your purchase, Niniijaanis will give away the same item to an early childhood program partner or nominated child/family. Your purchase covers the material cost portion of the giveaway item (not including labor). You will get to select the recipient of the give away item.
Mashkode-bizhikii, the buffalo sustained life physically and culturally for many Plains and Woodland tribes. We honor Mashkode-bizhikii and their teachings by sharing them with our young ones and the next generation, made possible with the #Niniijaanis Mashkode-bizhikii Horn Rattle brought to you by Dakota Gunville. Made on Occupied Anishinaabe/Dakota Territory | Belcourt, ND.
Details
Hand crafted and assembled by Dakota Gunville
Curriculum included with language contributions from Marshall Asini
Size
Varies on horn size (approximately 11” L x 6” W x 3.5”H)
Materials
Buffalo Horn
Raw hide
Beans
Metal pellets
Clear enamel finish
Investments ($60.00)
75% ($45) Directly to artist Dakota Gunville
25% ($15) fundraised for Niniijaanis Giveaways
Mikinaak, the turtle is one of the 7 grandfather teachings for many Plains and Woodland tribes, including an original clan animal for the Anishinaabeg. We honor Mikinaakwag and their teachings by sharing them with our young ones and the next generation, made possible with the #Niniijaanis Mikinaak Rattle brought to you by Dakota Gunville. Made on Occupied Anishinaabe/Dakota Territory | Belcourt, ND.
Details
Hand crafted and assembled by Dakota Gunville
Curriculum included with language contributions from Marshall Asini
Size
Varies depending on shell size (approximately 6”L x 5”W x 2”H)
Materials
Turtle Shell
Raw hide
Beans
Metal pellets
Investments ($40.00)
75% ($30) Directly to artist Dakota Gunville
25% ($10) fundraised for Niniijaanis Giveaways
An amazing repurposed overall dress, Native style. Take home the #OneofOnes , brought to you by the Buckanaga Social Club. Made on Occupied Anishinaabe/Dakota Territory | McGregor, MN.
Details
Custom designed ribbon overall dress by Alyssa Buckanaga
Dress falls above the knee
Size
Women’s Small-Medium
Materials
Cotton
Leather
Ribbon
Rik rak
Silver
Investments ($50.00)
75% ($50.00) Directly to Alyssa of the Buckanaga Social Club
25% ($12.50) fundraised for Niniijaanis Giveaways
Dabaadendiziwin, “s/he thinks little of themselves” as demonstrated through humility. Humility is one of the 7 Anishinaabe teachings brought to us by the wolf, included in the #OneofOnes Dabaadendiziwin Shirt, brought to you by Marshall Asini. Made on Occupied Anishinaabe/Dakota Territory | Dunseith, ND.
Details
Designed and sewn by Marshall Asini
APT.9 brand long sleeve polo dress shirt
Classic Fit
Size
Men’s XL
Materials
Cotton
Buttons
Investments ($75.00)
75% ($60.00) to Marshall Asini
25% ($15.00) fundraised for Niniijaanis Giveaways
2024 Indigenous People’s Weekend Sponsors, top left - right: Niniijaanis One of Ones, Flava Coffee & Cafe, Boys & Girls Club of the Twin Cities, DuBois Cars & Construction, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Ain Dah Yung Center, Minnesota Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office, The Merciless, Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, left - right middle: Trickster Tacos, Indigenous Hoops League, Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition (MIWSAC), Indigenous Protector Movement, Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB), American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO), TA Sports Apparel, left - right bottom: Montessori American Indian Childcare Center. Selburg IT Solutions, Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul Public Schools, Minnesota Department of Health, Homeland Health Specialists. Chii-miigwech!
Niniijaanis MMIW started as a boys' youth basketball team sponsored & coached by Niniijaanis One of Ones which later expanded into a women’s & co-ed adult team as well. Our youth team(s) range from 8th-12th grade & adult teams range from 18-31. Since our program started in 2021, we've had representation from the following tribes: Turtle Mountains, Fond Du Lac, White Earth, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, Red Lake, Spirit Lake, Prairie Island, & Bishop Piute. Our team(s) play in local & national tournaments, many of which are Native owned & operated. We address health equity with our MMIW basketball team(s) through direct service & physical activity with Native Americans. Please support our team in any of the following ways:
The largest Native basketball expo in Minnesota, for us & by us.
Read more: Indigenous People’s Weekend Basketball Expo: Continuing a Legacy – NDNSPORTS
LinkTree to Register for events: @indigenouspeoplesweekend
We are looking for sponsors for 2026 Indigenous People's Weekend (IPW)! Sponsors will receive benefits & perks dependent upon sponsorship level. Please reach out to niniijaanis@gmail.com or 651-605-1492 for sponsorships!
2023 Indigenous People’s Weekend Sponsors, top left - right: American Indian Family Center, Minnesota Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office, The Science Museum of Minnesota, Saint Paul Indian Education, Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, DuBois Cars & Construction, Tiwahe Foundation, Nashke Native Games, left - right bottom: Selburg IT Solutions, Native Roots Radio, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the Kiowa Tribe, & The Montessori American Indian Childcare Center. Chii-miigwech!
“Indigenous Montessori Powwow Dancers Mobile”
The Powwow has evolved into an intertribal celebration of culture and shared dancing, resembled here in the #Niniijaanis Indigenous Montessori Powwow Dancers Mobile, brought to you by Brook LaFloe. Made on Occupied Anishinaabe/Dakota Territory | Saint Paul, MN.
Details
Hand made by Brook LaFloe
Curriculum included with purchase
Read more about the mobile in our journal “The Powwow Trail”
Size
Hung on 7.8in Hoop
Materials
Bamboo wooden hoop
Cotton and transparent thread
Double sided holographic dancers (4)
Sinew
Investments ($30.00)
50% ($15) Directly to artist Brook LaFloe
50% ($15) fundraised for Niniijaanis Giveaways