The Ojibwa Nation
Or as Norval Morriseau would say, "The GREAT Ojibwa"
The Ojibwa are an ethnolinguistic First Nations group centered about Lakes Superior and Huron in both Canada and the United States. Although the tribe originated from a rather small region probably centered at Sault Ste. Marie, a series of migrations and conquests that began near the end of the seventeenth century created the territory that we think of as "traditional' today.
The earliest recorded written mention of the Nation dates from around 1640, and for most of their known history, the have been one of the largest Indian groups in North America. They speak a Central Algonkian language, but given their wide dispersal and large numbers, it is not surprising that the culture manifests some degree of regional differentiation in both language and customs.
The following represents a classification of the tribe into the principal cultural-regional divisions:
The Woodlands Ojibwa
This group represents what mainstream North Americans think of as classic Ojibwa culture. This perception was popularized by Henry M. Schoolcraft (1793 – 1864), a 19th century American geographer who, (besides reporting on the source of the Mississippi River), is noted for his studies of Native American cultures. Jane, his wife and translator, was the daughter of an Ojibwa "country wife"...the commonlaw companion of a Scottish immigrant. Jane Schoolcraft's knowledge of the language, customs and legends of her mother's people was used by Henry Longfellow in his poem of Hiawatha. The poet took a great deal of artistic license in the writing...the name Hiawatha is drawn from Iroquois sources for example, but the stories are based on 18th century Ojibwa.
The Northern and Southern Ojibwa sometimes known as Saulteux, may be differentiated on the grounds of ecology and social structure.
- The Northern Saulteux had small, isolated bands, a family hunting territory system, and a hunting-fishing-trapping economy. Very roughly their territory extends in the northeast to the headwaters of the river systems flowing into the western side of James Bay and in the west is bounded roughly by Lake Winnipeg and its river systems.
- The Southern Saulteux tended toward larger, more complex, and sedentary communities with more diversified economy. Again, roughly the southern Saulteux consist of those bands located more toward Lake Superior.
Within the Southern Ojibwa (or Chippewa as the Americans say), the distinction between the Southwestern and Southeastern Chippewa is a much clearer one, on both geographical and cultural grounds. The Southwestern Chippewa occupy the area south of Lake Superior running from Upper Michigan, through northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, and along the southern border of Ontario approximately as far west as Lake of the Woods. Their economy included very little farming, but the harvesting of wild rice and maple sugar was important.
Those of interior Wisconsin and Minnesota were chiefly hunters and trappers, with fishing secondary, while among the more northern groups fishing was the major subsistence activity. The area of the Southeastern Chippewa includes Lower Michigan, Lake Huron, and a sector of Ontario to the north of Lake Huron. Their subsistence economy was based on farming, hunting, fishing, and the harvesting of maple sugar. They had large, permanent summer villages along the northern shores of Lakes Huron and Michigan, but dispersed into extended family hunting bands during the winter.
The Plains Ojibwa
The Plains Ojibwa are a distinct ethnic group in language, social organization, art, ceremonies and costume. They are derived from small groups who migrated onto the Prairie, beginning near the end of the eighteenth century, and, under the influence of the Northern Plains tribes, underwent extensive cultural change, including the adoption of a bison-hunting economy. They occupy parts of northern North Dakota and Montana and are also found just across the Canadian border in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Canoes - Homegrown Transportation
It wasn't too long ago that Ojibwa children grew up in their family's canoe. I talk a bit about my experience but you'll notice at the bottom of the page there are links to pages about birchbark canoes.
Ojibwa ChildrenGrowing up in the bush north of Lake Superior wasn't all fun and games...although there was plenty of that. As kids we were expected to do our share of chores.
Native WomenI've read accounts of the hard times some native women had because they lived in a culture dominated by men. I was lucky...my Mom had to work hard, but so did my Dad. If you read this story you'll see that there was a healthy balance of expectations that they had worked out between themselves.
My Personal Experience of the Culture
I've researched and written about various aspects of Ojibwa culture but the folloiwing is an introduction to some of my stories...my experience living the culture. I'm not an anthropologist or an sthnologist...I just talk about the roles of men,women and children from my personal perspective.
