Ojibwe Names, Bands, and Sub-Nations

The Ojibwe people, also known as the Chippewa, represent one of the largest indigenous populations in North America. Their history, language, and cultural practices are deeply intertwined with the Great Lakes region and beyond. This article explores the nuances of Ojibwe identity, including the relationship between Ojibwe and Chippewa, their self-designation as Anishinabe, the various names used to identify them throughout history, and the major sub-nations and bands that comprise this diverse group. Understanding these distinctions provides a crucial insight into the rich tapestry of Ojibwe heritage. The keyword Ojibwe Names, Bands, and Sub-Nations is the main topic we will discuss throughout the article.

The Ojibwe Language and its Kin

The Ojibwe language belongs to the Algonquian language family, displaying a close affinity with Ottawa, Potawatomi, and Algonkin. These languages share a high degree of mutual intelligibility, reflecting a shared ancestry and close historical interactions. The relationship extends, albeit more distantly, to languages like Illinois and Miami. After 1680, the Ojibwe language ascended to the position of a major trade language throughout the northern Great Lakes area. This was primarily due to the Ojibwe being the most populous tribe in the region. The widespread adoption of their language as a lingua franca facilitated trade and communication among various indigenous groups and European traders.

Ojibwe vs. Chippewa: A Matter of Pronunciation and Politics

The terms "Ojibwe" and "Chippewa" are often used interchangeably, and rightly so: they refer to the same people. The difference lies primarily in pronunciation variations stemming from regional accents. A simple linguistic trick illustrates this point: adding an "O" before "Chippewa" (O’chippewa) reveals the phonetic connection. While "Ojibwe" is the preferred term in Canada, particularly for those east of Lake Winnipeg, who are sometimes referred to as Saulteaux, "Chippewa" holds official status in the United States. This is because "Chippewa" was the name used in all treaties between the U.S. government and the Ojibwe people.

Regardless of the external designation, the Ojibwe people traditionally call themselves Anishinabe (or variations like Anishinaubeg and Neshnabek), meaning "original men" or "first people." This self-designation underscores their deep connection to the land and their understanding of their ancestral origins. The term is sometimes shortened to "Shinob" and used informally among themselves. Interestingly, the Ottawa and Potawatomi also identify as Anishinabe, hinting at a shared past and a common cultural foundation. The legends of all three tribes speak of their collective identity as the Council of Three Fires, also known as the Three Fires Confederacy, a significant alliance that played a crucial role in the history of the Great Lakes region.

Etymology of Ojibwe/Chippewa

The name "Ojibwe" or "Chippewa" is believed to originate from the Algonquin word "otchipwa," which translates to "to pucker" or "those who pucker." This refers to the distinctive puckered seam characteristic of Ojibwe moccasins, a practical and culturally significant element of their traditional attire. Over time, the name has appeared in numerous spellings, reflecting variations in pronunciation and transcription by European explorers, traders, and officials. These spellings include Achipoes, Chepeway, Chippeway, Ochipoy, Odjibwa, Ojibweg, Ojibwey, Ojibwa, and Otchipwe, among others.

Diverse Names Reflecting Location and Relationships

Beyond Ojibwe and Chippewa, various other names have been used to identify specific groups of Ojibwe people, often reflecting their geographical location or their relationships with other tribes. Some notable examples include:

Missisauga: Primarily located in southern Ontario.
Saulteaux: Found in upper Michigan and westward.
Bungee: Referring to the Ojibwe of the northern Great Plains.

Additionally, other tribes used different names for the Ojibwe, revealing the complex web of intertribal relations. These include names derived from Huron, Iroquois, Wyandot, French, Tsattine, Kawchodinne, Dakota, Hidatsa, Fox, Cree, Tuscarora, Winnebago, Assiniboine, and others. Some names were descriptive, like "Rabbit People" (Plains Cree) or "Sore Face" (Hunkpapa Lakota). These varied designations offer valuable insights into historical interactions, alliances, and perceptions of the Ojibwe by other indigenous groups.

Ojibwe Sub-Nations and Divisions: A Regional Perspective

While the Ojibwe were initially concentrated around the Mackinac Straits between 1650 and 1685, the French often referred to them as Saulteur, sometimes confusing them with the Ottawa. The terms Ojibwe and Chippewa gained wider usage later. By the 1800s, the Ojibwe had diversified into five major divisions, each occupying a distinct geographical area and developing unique cultural adaptations:

Southeast: This division encompassed the Mississauga of southern Ontario, the Ojibwe villages near Detroit, and the Saginaw who inhabited the eastern half of lower Michigan.
Northern: This group occupied northern Ontario, bordered by the north shores of Lakes Huron and Superior, the divide between the Great Lakes and Hudson Bay drainages to the north, and Lakes Winnipeg and Manitoba to the west.
Lake Superior: This division resided along the south shore of Lake Superior, stretching from Mackinac across upper Michigan and northern Wisconsin to the headwaters of the St. Croix River.
Mississippi: The Mississippi division comprised the Ojibwe communities living in Minnesota north of the Minnesota River.
Plains: The Plains Chippewa, also known as the Bungee, inhabited the Red River Valley and Turtle Mountains of eastern North Dakota, extending westward into Montana, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

Ojibwe Villages: A Historical Record

In 1650, numerous Ojibwe bands and villages dotted the Great Lakes landscape. Historical records document a variety of names, including Achiligouan, Amicoures, Amikouet (Amikwa, Amikouai), Auwause, Bawating, Chequamegon, Keweenaw, Kitchigami, Macomile, Malanas, Mantouek (Mantoue, Nantoüé), Marameg, Mackinac (Mikinac), Missisauga (Mississague, Missisaki, Tisagechroanu), Mundua, Nikikouek, Noquet (Nouquet, Nouket), Oumiusagai, Ouasouarini (Aouasanik, Ousouarini), Outchibou (Ouchipoe), Outchougai (Atchougue, Outchougi), Ouxeinacomigo, and Saulteaux (Saulteur). These early settlements laid the foundation for the later distribution and development of Ojibwe communities.

Later Band and Village Locations: A Contemporary Overview

The Ojibwe presence extends across several Canadian provinces and American states. The following is a list of some of the later band and village locations, offering a glimpse into the contemporary distribution of Ojibwe communities. The information reflects recognized bands and settlements within each region:

Alberta: Cold Lake.
British Columbia: Saulteau (Beaver, Cree).
Manitoba: Berens River, Bloodvein, Brokenhead, Buffalo Point, Crane River (Ochichakkosipi), Dauphin River, Ebb and Flow, Fairford, Fisher River (Cree), Garden Hill (Cree), Hollow Water, Jackhead, Keeseekoowenin, Lake Manitoba, Lake St. Martin, Little Black River, Little Grand Rapids, Little Saskatchewan, Long Plain, Pauingassi, Peguis (Cree), Pine Creek, Poplar River, Portage du Prairie, Red Sucker Lake (Cree), Rolling River, Roseau River, Sagkeeng (Fort Alexander), Sandy Bay, St. Theresa Point (Cree), Swan Lake, Tataskwayak, Tootinaowaziibeeng, Wasagamack (Cree), Waterhen, and Waywayseecappo.
Michigan: Angwassag, Bawating, Bay du Noc, Beaver Island, Big Rock, Blackbird, Gatagetegauning, Kechegummewininewug, Ketchenaundaugenink, Kishkawbawe, Lac Vieux Desert, Little Fork, Mekadewagamitigweyawininiwak, Menitegow, Menoquet, Mackinac (Michilimackinac), Nabobish, Nagonabe, Ommunise, Ontonagon, Otusson, Pointe Au Tremble, Reaums Village, Saginaw, Shabwasing, Thunder Bay (Ottawa), Wapisiwisibiwininiwak, Wequadong, and Whitefish.
Minnesota: Anibiminanisibiwininiwak, Crow Wing, Fond du Lac, Gamiskwakokawininiwak, Gawababiganikak, Grand Portage, Gull Lake, Kahmetahwungaguma, Kechesebewininewug, Knife Lake, Leaf Lake, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, Misisagaikaoiwininiwak, Miskwagamiwisagaigan, Mishtawayawininiwak, Munominikasheenhug, Mukmeduawininewug, Onepowesepewenenewak, Oschekkamegawenenewak (2), Oueschekgagamiouilimy, Pillager, Pokegama, Rabbit Lake, Red Lake, Saint Francis Xavier, Sandy Lake, Wabasemowenenewak, Winnebegoshish, and White Earth.
Ontario: Alderville, Alnwick (Rice Lake), Bagoache, Balsam Lake, Batchewana (Rankin), Beausoleil (Christian Island), Big Grassy, Big Island, Caldwell (Point Pele), Cape Croker (Potawatomi), Caradoc (Potawatomi), Cat Lake (Cree), Chapleau, Cockburn Island (Ottawa), Cochingomink, Constance Lake (Cree), Couchiching, Credit River, Curve Lake, Deer Lake (Cree), Dokis, Eabametoong (Fort Hope), Eagle Lake, Epinette, Flying Post, Fort William, Garden River, Georgina Island, Ginoogaming (Long Lake), Grassy Narrows, Gull Bay, Henvey Inlet, Hiawatha, Iskutewisakaugun, Jackfish Island, Keewaywin (Cree), Kettle Point (Potawatomi), Kojejewininewug, Koochiching (Cree), Lac des Mille Lacs, Lac La Croix, Lac Seul, Lake Helen, Lake Nipegon, Lake of the Woods, Long Lake (2), Magnetewan, Manitoulin Island (Ottawa), Manitowaning, Marten Falls, Matachewan (Makominising), Matawachkirini, Mattagami (Cree), McDowell Lake (Cree), Michipicoten, Mishkeegogamang (Osnaburg) (Cree), Mississagi River, Mississauga, Mnjikaning (Rama), Moose Deer Point, Mud Lake, Naicatchewenim, Namakagon, Nameuilni, Nawash (Big Bay), New Slate Falls (Cree), Nicickousemenecaning, Nipissing, Northwest Angle (2), Obidgewong (Ottawa), Ochiichagwe (Dalles), Omushkego, Onegaming (Sabaskong), Ottawa Lake, Ouasouarini, Outchougai, Parry Island, Pays Plat, Pickle Lake (Cree), Pic Mobert, Pic River (Pic Heron), Pikangikum, Point Grondine, Poplar Hill, Rainy River, Red Rock, Riviere aux Sables (Potawatomi), Rocky Bay, Sagamok (Spanish River), Sandpoint, Sarnia (St. Clair Rapids), Saugeen (2), Savant, Scugog Lake, Seine River, Serpent River, Shawanaga, Sheguiandah, Sheshegwaning, Shoal Lake, Snake Island (Lake Simcoe), Stanjikoming, Stoney Point (Potawatomi), Sucker Creek, Sugwaundugahwininewug, Tahgaiwinini, Thames, Thessalon, Wabasseemoong (Islington, Whitedog), Wabauskang, Wabigoon Lake, Wahgoshig, Wahnapitai, Walpole Island (Bkejwanong, Chenail cart) (Ottawa, Potawatomi), Wanamakewajejenik, Wasauksing, Washagamis Bay, Wauzhushk (Rat Portage), West Bay (M’Chigeeng) (Ottawa), Whitefish Bay, Whitefish Lake, Whitefish River, Whitesand (Cree), and Wikwemikong (Ottawa).
North Dakota: Bungee (Bunbi, Bungi, Plains Chippewa, Plains Ojibwe), Little Shell, Midinakwadshiwininiwak, Pembina, and Turtle Mountain.
Saskatchewan: Cote, Cowessess (Cree), Fishing Lake, Gordons (Cree), Keeseekoose (Cree), Key, Kinistin, Muscowpetung, Muskowekwan (Cree), Nibowisibiwininiwak, Okanese, Pasqua (Cree), Sakimay, Saulteaux (Cree), White Bear (Cree), and Yellowquill.
Wisconsin: Betonukeengainubejig, Burnt Woods, Cedar Lake, Chegwamegon, Chetac Lake, Kechepukwaiwah, Lac Courte Oreilles, Mole Lake, Red Cliff, Rice Lake, Shaugawaumikong, Sukaauguning, Trout Lake, Turtle Portage, Wahsuahgunewininewug, Wauswagiming, Wiaquahhechegumeeng, and Yellow Lake.

The information presented above about Ojibwe Names, Bands, and Sub-Nations highlights the geographic range and diversity within the Ojibwe Nation.

Conclusion

The Ojibwe people, with their rich history and cultural heritage, continue to thrive across North America. The various names used to identify them, the distinct sub-nations and divisions that have emerged over time, and the numerous bands and village locations scattered across the landscape all contribute to a complex and fascinating story. Understanding these nuances is essential for appreciating the depth and resilience of the Ojibwe people and their enduring connection to the land. Ojibwe Names, Bands, and Sub-Nations are more than just labels; they represent a living history. The detailed overview about Ojibwe Names, Bands, and Sub-Nations that was provided earlier in the article, is meant to give a clear picture of this topic. Finally, the Ojibwe Names, Bands, and Sub-Nations are a topic that requires more and deeper studying to fully understand it.