Niiyogiizhigookwe, Maryellen Baker. Born and raised on the Odaawaazaaga'iganing Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation near Hayward, WI. Maryellen is a Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, Author, Singer/Songwriter, Spiritual Therapist, Artist/Crafter of Traditional bead work and an Ojibwe Elder enrolled on the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. Niiyogiizhigookwe is a 3rd Degree Mide’wiwin Grandmother with the Three Fires Mide’ Lodge, a member of the Mide’wanikwe Society and a Grandmother in the Jingle Dress Society.
Ms. Baker has been employed in various positions for the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe. In 1971, she began to work in the field of health and human services. This position had the responsibility of overseeing health conditions for the tribe. She was very involved with changing inept health services provided by the Sawyer County Health providers. "My years in this position were very gratifying and meaningful to me." In 1979, she moved into the drug and alcohol field where she learned a whole new meaning to the traditional and reservation lifestyle. "I learned of the deep traditional way of life and how it was near extinction because of non-Indian influences." Through her position with the tribe’s alcohol and drug abuse program she attached her life to tribal culture and traditions. She later founded, and presently is Director of, the Abiinooji Aki, Inc. Cultural Healing Center.
Through a dream she saw Native Women sitting by a Sweat Lodges that were surrounded by very tall pine trees.
These women were laughing, talking, doing beadwork, singing, and playing with their children.
Not too far from the women was a sparkling, raised path above the pine needle covered ground.
She stepped on it and followed it to a beautiful A- frame Log house.
By the house sat White, Black, and Asian women who were crying, sobbing, wailing, and
looking at their children pitifully. They were suffering, and so unhappy.
She looked back at the Native women and said,
“You women take care of your sisters over here,”
as she pointed to the women by the log house.
This vision inspired and directed Niiyogiizhigookwe to build Abiinooji Aki, The Cultural Healing Center, as a place that could provide Native American/Cultural teachings to those seeking the knowledge and healing. In the past 34 years, Niiyogiizhigookwe has worked alongside many Native American teachers, educators, healers and presenters. She has learned the Traditional Healing Practices which she utilizes in her spiritual work.
In the past 12 years Niiyogiizhigookwe has been deeply rooted in the work of water advocacy, cultural education, and healing. Her journey began with a vision to uplift the sacred relationship between women and water- a connection grounded in Indigenous knowledge, responsibility, and ceremony. She has spoken across communities, led educational efforts, and inspires the organizing team of the Women And Water Coming Together Symposium, an annual gathering that honors water as a living relative and center of life.
Niiyogiizhigookwe's work extends beyond advocacy into direct cultural healing. As Founder of the Cultural Healing Center, Niiyogiizhigookwe brings traditional Ojibwe practices into AODA recovery efforts-weaving together ceremony, plant medicine, storytelling, and land-based teachings to support individuals and families on their healing journeys. Her work emphasizes the power of returning to ancestral ways, recognizing that the healing of people and the healing of water are deeply intertwined.
With humility, strength, and spiritual guidance, Maryellen continues to walk with her community, offering care, knowledge, and hope-always with the water at the center.
"I am the happiest when I am standing in front of my people singing to them, telling them the age-old stories and teachings that’ll help them during rough times. These times are full of spiritual enlightenment that, I know, will enhance their belief system and lift their spirits to the greatest feeling of spiritual content and understanding that ever is in the world. Feelings that’ll bring them closer to a better and greater understanding, a life full of acceptance, hope, peace and love."
Niiyogiizhigookwe, Maryellen Baker
Ms. Baker has been employed in various positions for the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe. In 1971, she began to work in the field of health and human services. This position had the responsibility of overseeing health conditions for the tribe. She was very involved with changing inept health services provided by the Sawyer County Health providers. "My years in this position were very gratifying and meaningful to me." In 1979, she moved into the drug and alcohol field where she learned a whole new meaning to the traditional and reservation lifestyle. "I learned of the deep traditional way of life and how it was near extinction because of non-Indian influences." Through her position with the tribe’s alcohol and drug abuse program she attached her life to tribal culture and traditions. She later founded, and presently is Director of, the Abiinooji Aki, Inc. Cultural Healing Center.
Through a dream she saw Native Women sitting by a Sweat Lodges that were surrounded by very tall pine trees.
These women were laughing, talking, doing beadwork, singing, and playing with their children.
Not too far from the women was a sparkling, raised path above the pine needle covered ground.
She stepped on it and followed it to a beautiful A- frame Log house.
By the house sat White, Black, and Asian women who were crying, sobbing, wailing, and
looking at their children pitifully. They were suffering, and so unhappy.
She looked back at the Native women and said,
“You women take care of your sisters over here,”
as she pointed to the women by the log house.
This vision inspired and directed Niiyogiizhigookwe to build Abiinooji Aki, The Cultural Healing Center, as a place that could provide Native American/Cultural teachings to those seeking the knowledge and healing. In the past 34 years, Niiyogiizhigookwe has worked alongside many Native American teachers, educators, healers and presenters. She has learned the Traditional Healing Practices which she utilizes in her spiritual work.
In the past 12 years Niiyogiizhigookwe has been deeply rooted in the work of water advocacy, cultural education, and healing. Her journey began with a vision to uplift the sacred relationship between women and water- a connection grounded in Indigenous knowledge, responsibility, and ceremony. She has spoken across communities, led educational efforts, and inspires the organizing team of the Women And Water Coming Together Symposium, an annual gathering that honors water as a living relative and center of life.
Niiyogiizhigookwe's work extends beyond advocacy into direct cultural healing. As Founder of the Cultural Healing Center, Niiyogiizhigookwe brings traditional Ojibwe practices into AODA recovery efforts-weaving together ceremony, plant medicine, storytelling, and land-based teachings to support individuals and families on their healing journeys. Her work emphasizes the power of returning to ancestral ways, recognizing that the healing of people and the healing of water are deeply intertwined.
With humility, strength, and spiritual guidance, Maryellen continues to walk with her community, offering care, knowledge, and hope-always with the water at the center.
"I am the happiest when I am standing in front of my people singing to them, telling them the age-old stories and teachings that’ll help them during rough times. These times are full of spiritual enlightenment that, I know, will enhance their belief system and lift their spirits to the greatest feeling of spiritual content and understanding that ever is in the world. Feelings that’ll bring them closer to a better and greater understanding, a life full of acceptance, hope, peace and love."
Niiyogiizhigookwe, Maryellen Baker
The Lac Courte Oreilles Institute on Alcohol and drug abuse
the anishinaabe way
Maryellen Baker, Founder of Abiinooji Aki, Inc. worked in the field of AODA as a counselor and program director at the
Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Health Center. Through her work with the LCO Tribal AODA program, Maryellen noticed there was a gap in the recovery process for Native Americans. Despite the many trainings and conferences that she attended for professional development and her own growth, something was missing. This is what Maryellen identified: there were no Native American beliefs or traditional practices being provided or acknowledged as a method to assist long term recovery for Native Americans on the LCO Reservation.
Maryellen designed a conference that introduced Native American beliefs and practices to counselors, treatment center directors and staff, offered to Natives and non-natives working in the field of AODA. In 1982, the Anishinaabe Way Conference on alcohol and drug abuse was formed under
The Lac Courte Oreilles Institute on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
As The Anishinaabe Way Conference grew in need and gained attention, the training grew, and
The Lac Courte Oreilles Institute on Alcohol and Drug Abuse became acknowledged through the LCO Tribal Governing Board.
Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Health Center. Through her work with the LCO Tribal AODA program, Maryellen noticed there was a gap in the recovery process for Native Americans. Despite the many trainings and conferences that she attended for professional development and her own growth, something was missing. This is what Maryellen identified: there were no Native American beliefs or traditional practices being provided or acknowledged as a method to assist long term recovery for Native Americans on the LCO Reservation.
Maryellen designed a conference that introduced Native American beliefs and practices to counselors, treatment center directors and staff, offered to Natives and non-natives working in the field of AODA. In 1982, the Anishinaabe Way Conference on alcohol and drug abuse was formed under
The Lac Courte Oreilles Institute on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
As The Anishinaabe Way Conference grew in need and gained attention, the training grew, and
The Lac Courte Oreilles Institute on Alcohol and Drug Abuse became acknowledged through the LCO Tribal Governing Board.
"the Lac Courte Oreilles Institute on Alcohol and Drug Abuse be declared as an annual event to promote and educate the counseling and service providers
on the Traditional aspects of counseling that will increase the Understanding of Native American and therefore enhance the recovery
of Indian People from addictive illnesses."
Lac Courte Oreilles Resolution No. 91-11
on the Traditional aspects of counseling that will increase the Understanding of Native American and therefore enhance the recovery
of Indian People from addictive illnesses."
Lac Courte Oreilles Resolution No. 91-11
The Anishinaabe Way Conference was the first of its kind to mesh Native American beliefs and the healing process from substance abuse. The Anishinaabe Way Conference brought together the teachers and healers with Native American
clientele and those that provided services to our people.
The Anishinaabe Way Conference and the Anishinaabe Way Youth Gathering brought back the Ojibwe teachings and healing rituals to many Native American adults and youth from across the country.
clientele and those that provided services to our people.
The Anishinaabe Way Conference and the Anishinaabe Way Youth Gathering brought back the Ojibwe teachings and healing rituals to many Native American adults and youth from across the country.
"the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Governing Board declares June 20-27th of each year to be identified as "Anishinaabe Way Week", a time to promote greater
cultural, traditional, spiritual knowledge and awareness about the prevention, intervention and recovery from the
disease and effects of Alcohol and Drug Abuse on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation."
Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Resolution No. 88-34
cultural, traditional, spiritual knowledge and awareness about the prevention, intervention and recovery from the
disease and effects of Alcohol and Drug Abuse on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation."
Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Resolution No. 88-34