November is Native American* Heritage Month. It’s a time to celebrate the rich culture and history of Native Americans. While the contributions, accomplishments, and culture of Indigenous communities should be acknowledged and celebrated every day, this month provides a time to renew your focus on learning.
At the Michigan School of Psychology, we recognize that Native American Heritage Month is one celebration that encompasses a wide variety of cultures and lived experiences. The United States Government currently recognizes 574 different Native American tribes and Alaskan Native entities. While these groups have many shared experiences, especially in regards to their historic treatment by European settlers and the US government, they also have unique cultures with their own customs, languages, governance, etc.
In previous years, we have celebrated by learning about the 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan and the Potawatomi, who are closely associated with the area now known as Farmington Hills. This year, we invite you to join us in learning about the Ojibwe**, who have close ties to the Great Lakes.
The traditional Ojibwe diet relied heavily on stores of wild rice, or manoomin, that grew near Lake Superior. The rice was harvested and prepared during the autumn months but could be stored and enjoyed throughout the entire year. Other staple food items for the Ojibwe include berries, fish and other meat, vegetables, and maple sugar. Check out this recipe for a squash and wild rice dish from MSU and the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan using wild rice and maple syrup.
The Ojibwe are named for the unique puckered style of their traditional moccasins. Their moccasins and other traditional clothing items are often decorated with intricate beadwork. Ojibwe beadwork typically features flowers or other natural elements and typically has vibrant color schemes. In addition to beadwork, the Ojibwe also craft a number of items using birch bark, including baskets, mats, and bags.
Ojibwe music features shakers, flutes, and drums and plays a role in much of daily life. A shaker is so important to Ojibwe culture that it is featured in their creation story and plays a significant role in spiritual and religious practices to this day. Another traditional instrument is the Eagle whistle, which is used in dancing and has strict rules, so dancers must earn the right to use it. If you want to hear this music for yourself, check out this playlist.
Like their Potawatomi neighbors we learned about last year, the Ojibwe values are also passed down through the Seven Grandfathers’ teachings. This teaching shares the importance of love, respect, honesty, humility, bravery, truth, and wisdom.
Today, there are numerous Ojibwe bands that are recognized as independent nations in both the US and Canada. We encourage you to learn more about the Ojibwe by visiting some of their tribal websites:
- Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (Minnesota)
- Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (Ontario)
- Red Rock Indian Band (Ontario)
- Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (Michigan)
*Native American Heritage Month is the title used in the most recent official government proclamations for the month and therefore the purpose of this blog. However, it is important to acknowledge that some members of the community prefer the usage of other terms such as Indigenous, First Nations, etc. The best practice is to use specific tribal names, but this is not always possible. For more information, read The Impact of Words and Tips for Using Appropriate Terminology.
** According to the Smithsonian, the Ojibwe people are also called Anishinaabe (when talking about themselves) and Chippewa (in official agreements with the US government).