What was the Ojibwe way of life?
Traditional Life
Before contact with Europeans, Ojibwe people subsisted by hunting, fishing and gathering. They resided largely in dome-shaped birchbark dwellings known as wigwams, and often made use of tipi-shaped dwellings.
Traditionally we lived by cultivating corn and squash, by hunting and fishing, and by harvesting wild rice. Each September we celebrate with a Wild Rice Festival. We still gather syrup from the sugar maple trees on the reservation.
There were two types of dwellings used by the Chippewas. In the woodlands, Ojibway people lived in villages of birchbark houses called waginogans, or wigwams. On the Great Plains, the Ojibwas lived in large buffalo-hide tents called tipis.
Unconditional love and compassion is to know that when people are weak, they need your love and compassion the most. Respect others and their beliefs. Respect yourself. When you practice respect, respect will be given back to you.
Ojibwe people usually did a good job of harvesting the things they needed without using them all. They took only enough fish and other animals— grouse, deer, rabbits, moose, elk, and caribou—to feed their families.
Ojibwe people adhere to Roman Catholicism and traditional religious beliefs. Some also are evangelical Christians. Traditional spiritual beliefs are passed down by oral tradition, including a creation story and a recounting of the origins of ceremonies and rituals. Ojibwe spirits guide them through life.
The Ojibwa traditionally grew corn, beans, pumpkins, and squash. They also hunted and fished and gathered wild plant foods. They lived in dome-shaped houses made from wood and birch bark. Long ago the Ojibwa were part of a larger group that also included the Ottawa and the Potawatomi.
Prior to European trade, Ojibwe women wore long hide dresses, leggings, and moccasins, while the men wore leggings, breechcloths, and moccasins. Their clothing often was decorated with geometric designs created with porcupine quills, bones, and shells.
No matter where you live, there are often separate roles between men and women and the Ojibwe are no exception. Male Ojibwe sometimes go to war and hunt where as the females mainly care for children and farm.
The Ojibwa religion was mainly self centered and focused on the belief in power received from spirits during visions and dreams. Some of the forces and spirits in Ojibwa belief were benign and not feared, such as Sun, Moon, Four Winds, Thunder and Lightning.
What were the Ojibwe roles and responsibilities?
Historically, Ojibwe women were gatherers and fishers and were often responsible for taking care of the children and cooking. Ojibwe men, on the other hand, were responsible for hunting and in some cases would go to war to protect their families and communities.
Social Organization.
In aboriginal and early historic times the Ojibwa were divided into small autonomous bands of interrelated families. Band organization was loose and flexible, and social relations, apart from divisions along the lines of age and sex, were egalitarian.
The Ojibwa traditionally grew corn, beans, pumpkins, and squash. They also hunted and fished and gathered wild plant foods. They lived in dome-shaped houses made from wood and birch bark. Long ago the Ojibwa were part of a larger group that also included the Ottawa and the Potawatomi.
The Seven Grandfather Teachings are the principles of character that each Anishinaabe should live by. Love, Respect, Bravery, Truth, Honesty, Humility & Wisdom.