Who Are the Ojibwe

The Ojibwe had a clan system of government. Clans continue to exist, of course, but the government has changed somewhat. They defined what roles individuals played within the tribe.

The original clans (dodems) were the crane, marten, wolf, catfish, bear and loon. Clan members were not permitted to marry within their own clan. Spirituality in general centered around customs and beliefs.

There are four seasons and four grandfathers (powers of the universe). The colors of man are red, black, yellow and white.

The Apostle Islands (Lake Superior) are significant because that is where they settled after a 500-year migration from the east coast. The journey started from a dream of the First Fire which told them to move or be destroyed.

They did not have a written language (phonetic) system. Instead they relied on oral history and pictographic writing on birch bark scrolls.

"Ah-ki' (the Earth) is a woman and had a family. The Sky is called Father. Nee-ba-gee'sis (the Moon) is called Grandmother. Gee'sis (the Sun) is Grandfather. Gi'-tchie Man-i-to' (Creator or Great Mystery) is the Creator. The four directions - North, South, East, and West are very important. The physical and spiritual duality is represented in the four directions. It is thought that medicinal plants when physically picked will not work unless there has been the proper spiritual behavior (such as offering tobacco, etc.).”

"Gitchie Manito...took four parts of Mother Earth (earth, wind, fire, and water) and blew into them using a Sacred Shell [the Megis or Cowrie Shell]. From the union of the Four Elements and his breath, man was created." 

“Anishinaabe (the older term for Ojibwe) means ani (from whence), nishina (lowered) abe (the male of the species). Others translate it as first male or first man or original man.” Who are you?