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
Chapter 1 Early Life The Ojibwe lived in villages throughout the Upper Midwest near the Great Lakes
Most Ojibwe lived in the northern Great Lakes region Their ancestors had lived far to the east About 1 000 years ago they started a slow migration to the Great Lakes The Ojibwe mainly lived in what would become the states of Michigan Minnesota North Dakota and Wisconsin and the future Canadian provinces of Ontario and Manitoba The Ojibwe were hunter gatherers and harvested wild rice They made sugar from the sap of maple trees Fishing was also a primary source of food Ojibwe used birch bark for many things such as food containers canoes and to cover their wigwams Each season Ojibwe set up homes close to the available food sources The Ojibwe separated into small bands throughout the seasons so they would not compete for food When a band moved their birch bark wigwam coverings were rolled up and taken with them Typically Ojibwe would return to the same places each year Ojibwe often rebuilt their homes on the old frameworks left behind the previous year ancestor family member who lived a long time ago band group of related people who live and hunt together
