How I Came to Be Nimiiwin
2004-02-05, 10:00 a.m.

My Diaryland name is unusual and people wonder how I came to have it.

Way back in 1994, when I first got online and got AOL, I tried to find a screen name, only to find everything I thought was cool was taken, which was, to say the least, frustrating. I think (though I can’t remember) I wound up with the oh-so-original name of FemmeDyke217. FemmeDyke for the obvious reason and 217 because that’s my birthday. Along the way, I’ve used various versions of that and my actual name. Also fairly common. So common that I have an aunt-in-law who has the same exact name. All three of ‘em. Of course, my mom wasn’t married to my dad to know her when I was born to avoid naming me the same thing.

Over the years, certain things about me became well established parts of my “persona.” The fact that I don’t even think that DivaMel could teach me to carry a tune, the fact that I am a very good dancer, that I am a reader, etc. These truths are self-evident to all who have had occasion to know that part of me.

Fast forward to early 2000: I’d been with PJH for a few months by now and she takes me to my first sweat lodge where I am to receive my “Indian name.” See, I’d been raised by my white mother and had no contact with native people whatsoever so I had never participated in any native ritual or custom. I was a nervous wreck that I’d screw up. I didn’t and came away with a name. Nimiiwin Andekwe (Nih-me-win On-duh-kway) which translates to Dancing Crow. Nimiiwin is the part that means Dancing. Since dancing has been a big part of my life since I was a little girl and my mom, my sister and I used to dance around the living room on Saturday afternoons, I thought I was totally appropriate. And I thought it an interesting choice since the man who gave me the name had no way to know that. Further, most of the people’s names are one word. PJH is Wawashke (wa-wash-key) for example. And I love it. Though I was in my 30’s when I got this name, it resonates with me deeply. I often think of myself as Nimiiwin. Especially in relation to PJH, who I think of as Nanii (na-knee) which is the word for “Man.” (Yes, I know PJH is not a man, but that’s a whole other story.)

So, I chose Nimiiwin to use as my screen names. You’re not supposed to use your full name for secular activity, since it’s a sacred, spiritual thing but I think it’s okay to use part. I have never once tried to sign up for a screen name on a website where that name was taken. Unless I’d already been there and signed up, but forgotten!

So, if you’re on a message board somewhere and see Nimiiwin, you can be sure it’s me!