Fact Finders INDIAN LINE AMERICAN Ojibwe The The Past and Present of the Anishinaabe by Alesha Halvorson Consultant Brett Barker PhD Associate Professor of History University of Wisconsin Marathon County CAPSTONE PRESS a capstone imprint
Celebrating Traditions The sound of a thumping drum fills the air People of all ages are singing in their native language A single line of dancers follows in step with the rhythmic heartbeat of the drum Brightly colored ribbons beads and feathers decorate their clothing After they have gathered in a circle around the drum a medicine man begins the pipe ceremony It is a prayer for all of the dancers and for the crowd of visitors The Grand Entry of the powwow has begun Powwows are an important tradition in many American Indian tribes Ojibwe powwows celebrate life pride and the history of a strong group of people Dancing and singing at powwows carry a deep spiritual meaning for the Ojibwe who call themselves the Anishinaabe The powwow ceremony is a time to gather with family and friends to honor remember and share Anishinaabe culture tradition custom idea or belief passed down through time
Small hawk bells sewed onto puckered moccasins jingle as dancers walk together during the Grand Entry Tribal name Anishinaabe means original people in the Algonquian language The Ojibwe are also known as the Chippewa Ojibwe and Chippewa come from the Algonquian word otchipwa which means to pucker It refers to the distinctive puckered seam of Ojibwe moccasins Chippewa is used in U S treaties and sometimes used as the official tribe name
