Reporter June Caldwood (JC) and Norval Morrisseau (NM)

JC: What about the circle in the right hand corner? I understand that's your name? 

NM: Yes that's my name. The circles on top are associated with Thunderbird 

JC: Is that your name in Cree? 

NM: Yes

JC: What is your name?

NM: Osawah Bego Binesa

JC: What does it mean, approximately?

NM: As close as I can say, its Copper Thunderbird but if you want to say it in Ojibwe its Osawah Bego Binesa

JC: (journalist attempts to say the name in Ojibwe) Is that how you say it?

NM: (laughs) No.

JC: Not even close eh, It is an unusual name, Copper Thunderbird. It has the sound like  southern Indians, like the Aztecs. You said… Was it an unusual name in your tribe?

NM: Yes, I was told it is a very powerful name. And those Indians that I have met in Red Lake area they were telling me that it is a very powerful name. Some feared and some showed respect, some of them because how come I had such a powerful name. 

JC: Who gave you your name?

NM: It was a medicine woman from Ignace Ontario. What I understood is that I was very sick when I was small. And she said I would live today to be what I am right now today. Like I would grow up and she gave me this name and then I got better.