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Anishinaabe traditional beliefs cover the traditional belief system of the Anishinaabeg peoples, consisting of the Algonquin/Nipissing, Ojibwa/Chippewa/Saulteaux/Mississaugas, Odawa, Potawatomi and Oji-Cree, located primarily in the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada.

Medicine Societies

The Anishinaabe have three different Medicine Societies.

Midewiwin

The Midewiwin (also spelled Midewin and Medewiwin) is the Grand Medicine Society of the indigenous groups of the Maritimes, New England and Great Lakes regions in North America. Its practitioners are called Midew and the practices of Midewiwin referred to as the Mide. The Midewiwin society is a secretive animistic religion, requiring an initiation, and then progressing to four levels of practitioners, called "degrees". Occasionally, male Midew are called Midewinini, which sometimes is very loosely translated into English as "medicine man".

Waabanowin

The Waabanowin (also spelled Wabuowin, Wabunohwin and Wabunohiwin) is the Dawn Society, also sometime improperly called the "Magical Dawn Society". Its practitioners are called Waabanow and the practices of Waabanowin referred to as the Waabano. The Wabanowin are distinct society of visionaries. Like the Midewiwin, the Waabanowin is a secretive animistic religion, requiring an initiation. But unlike the Mide, the Waabano have sometimes 2 levels and sometimes 4. This variation being dependent on the particular lodge. They were systematically imprisoned in mental hospitals by the United States government in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Because of this persecution the Waabanowin went underground and have just begun to reemerge since the passage of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. The ceremonies and traditions are closely guarded, though some anthropologists have published misinformation about the ceremonies, and there are false societies that seek publicity.

Jiisakiiwin

The Jiisakiiwin are also known as the Shaking Tent or the Juggler's Tent. Among the Anishinaabeg, a particularly powerful and well-respected spiritual leader who had trained from childhood is called a Jaasakiid or Jiisakiiwinini, also known as a "Juggler" or "Shaking-tent Seer." In the past they were hunted down and murdered by both Canadian and United States officials. ^{[citation needed]}

Migration story

According to the oral history of the Anishinaabeg, they originally lived on the shores of the "Great Salt Water" (presumably the Atlantic Ocean near the Gulf of St. Lawrence). They were instructed by seven prophets to follow a sacred miigis shell (whiteshell) toward the west, until they reached a place where food grew upon the water.^[1] They began their migration some time around 950,^[2] stopping at various points several times along the way, most significantly at Baawitigong, Sault Ste. Marie, where they stayed for a long time, and where two subgroups decided to stay (these became the Potawatomi and Ottawa). Eventually, after a trick by two of the clans, the other clans travelled West (see William Warren's account of this incident) and arrived at the wild ricing lands of Minnesota and Wisconsin (wild rice being the food that grew upon the water) and made Mooningwanekaaning minis (Madeline Island: "Island of the yellow-shafted flicker") their new capital. In total, the migration took around five centuries.^[2]

Following the migration there was a cultural divergence separating the Potawatomi from the Ojibway and Ottawa. Particularly, the Potawatomi did not adopt the agricultural innovations discovered or adopted by the Ojibway, such as the Three Sisters crop complex, copper tools, conjugal collaborative farming, and the use of canoes in rice harvest.^[3]

Nanabozho stories

Nanabozho (also known by a variety of other names and spellings, including Wenabozho, Menabozho, and Nanabush) is a trickster figure and culture hero who features as the protagonist of a cycle of stories that serve as the Anishinaabe origin belief. The cycle, which varies somewhat from community to community, tells the story of Nanabozho's conception, birth, and his ensuing adventures, which involve interactions with spirit and animal beings, the creation of the Earth, and the establishment of the Midewiwin. The myth cycle explains the origin of several traditions, including mourning customs, beliefs about the afterlife, and the creation of the sacred plant asemaa (tobacco).

References

^ Benton-Banai (1988), pp. 89-102
^ ^a ^b Benton-Banai (1988), pg. 102
^ Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes, Waldman & Braun.

External links

Schneider, Karoline. "The Culture and Language of the Minnesota Ojibwe: An Introduction". Kees' Ojibwe Page. Retrieved 2007-04-01.
Text to the "Ojibwe Prayer to a Slain Deer"^{[permanent dead link]}
Ojibwe Waasa-Inaabidaa—PBS documentary featuring the history and culture of the Anishinaabe-Ojibwe people of the Great Lakes (United States-focused).

[1] Benton-Banai (1988), pp. 89-102

[BBonezerotwo-2] Benton-Banai (1988), pg. 102

[3] Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes, Waldman & Braun.

[1]

[2]

[3]

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+{{unsourced}}
 [[Image:Underwater Panther rock painting (crop).jpg|right|350px|thumb|Picture on a rock of an [[underwater panther]] (''mishibizhiw'') as well as two snakes and a canoe, attributed to the [[Ojibwe people]].  From [[Lake Superior Provincial Park]], [[Ontario]].]] '''Anishinaabe traditional beliefs''' cover the traditional belief system of the [[Anishinaabe]]g peoples, consisting of the [[Algonquin people|Algonquin]]/[[Nipissing First Nation|Nipissing]], [[Ojibwe people|Ojibwa/Chippewa]]/[[Saulteaux]]/[[Mississaugas]], [[Odawa people|Odawa]], [[Potawatomi]] and [[Oji-Cree]], located primarily in the [[Great Lakes region]] of the [[United States]] and [[Canada]].
@@ Line 6: / Line 7: @@
 ===Midewiwin===
 {{Main article|Midewiwin}}
+The '''''Midewiwin''''' (also spelled '''Midewin''' and '''Medewiwin''') is the '''Grand Medicine Society''' of the indigenous groups of the [[Maritimes]], [[New England]] and [[Great Lakes]] regions in North America. Its practitioners are called ''Midew'' and the practices of ''Midewiwin'' referred to as the ''Mide''.  The ''Midewiwin'' society is a secretive [[Animism|animistic]] religion, requiring an initiation, and then progressing to four levels of practitioners, called "degrees". Occasionally, male ''Midew'' are called ''Midewinini'', which sometimes is very loosely translated into English as "[[medicine man]]".
-{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}
-The '''''Midewiwin''''' (also spelled '''Midewin''' and '''Medewiwin''') is the '''Grand Medicine Society''' of the indigenous groups of the [[Maritimes]], [[New England]] and [[Great Lakes]] regions in North America. Its practitioners are called ''Midew'' and the practices of ''Midewiwin'' referred to as the ''Mide''.  The ''Midewiwin'' society is a secretive [[Animism|animistic]] religion, requiring an initiation, and then progressing to four levels of practitioners, called "degrees". Occasionally, male ''Midew'' are called ''Midewinini'', which sometimes is translated into English as either "shaman" or "medicine man".
 ===Waabanowin===
 {{Main article|Wabunowin}}
-The  '''''Waabanowin''''' (also spelled '''Wabuowin''', '''Wabunohwin''' and '''Wabunohiwin''') is the '''Dawn Society''', also sometime improperly called the "Magical Dawn Society". Its practitioners are called ''Waabanow'' and the practices of ''Waabanowin'' referred to as the ''Waabano''. The ''Wabanowin'' are distinct society of visionaries. Like the ''Midewiwin'', the ''Waabanowin'' is a secretive [[Animism|animistic]] religion, requiring an initiation. But unlike the ''Mide'', the ''Waabano'' have sometimes 2 levels and sometimes 4. This variation being dependent on the particular lodge.  They were systematically imprisoned in [[mental hospital]]s by the United States government in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Because of this persecution the ''Waabanowin'' went underground and have just begun to reemerge since the passage of the [[American Indian Religious Freedom Act]]. While many of the ceremonies and traditions are closely guarded, one that is known is the Fire Dance.
+The  '''''Waabanowin''''' (also spelled '''Wabuowin''', '''Wabunohwin''' and '''Wabunohiwin''') is the '''Dawn Society''', also sometime improperly called the "Magical Dawn Society". Its practitioners are called ''Waabanow'' and the practices of ''Waabanowin'' referred to as the ''Waabano''. The ''Wabanowin'' are distinct society of visionaries. Like the ''Midewiwin'', the ''Waabanowin'' is a secretive [[Animism|animistic]] religion, requiring an initiation. But unlike the ''Mide'', the ''Waabano'' have sometimes 2 levels and sometimes 4. This variation being dependent on the particular lodge.  They were systematically imprisoned in [[mental hospital]]s by the United States government in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Because of this persecution the ''Waabanowin'' went underground and have just begun to reemerge since the passage of the [[American Indian Religious Freedom Act]]. The ceremonies and traditions are closely guarded, though some anthropologists have published misinformation about the ceremonies, and there are false societies that seek publicity.
-The Waubunowin have been coming out from underground and re-establishing themselves for about 15 years now. There are active lodges currently in Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Indiana,Ohio,and Michigan.
 ===Jiisakiiwin===
+The '''''Jiisakiiwin''''' are also known as the '''Shaking Tent''' or the '''Juggler's Tent'''. Among the Anishinaabeg, a particularly powerful and well-respected spiritual leader who had trained from childhood is called a ''Jaasakiid'' or ''Jiisakiiwinini'', also known as a "Juggler" or "Shaking-tent Seer." In the past they were hunted down and murdered by both Canadian and United States officials. {{Citation needed|date=May 2010}}
-{{Expand section|date=May 2010}}
-Another well-known society among the Anishinaabeg is the '''''Jiisakiiwin''''', also known as the '''Shaking Tent''' or the '''Juggler's Tent'''. Among the Anishinaabeg, a particularly powerful and well-respected spiritual leader who had trained from childhood is called a ''Jaasakiid'' or ''Jiisakiiwinini'', also known as a "Juggler" or "Shaking-tent Seer." In the past they were hunted down and murdered by both Canadian and United States officials as being "individuals who endanger society". {{Citation needed|date=May 2010}}
-==Common beliefs==
-All three of the Societies held some beliefs in common. Though the interpretation may be different.
 ===Migration story===
 According to the oral history of the Anishinaabeg, they originally lived on the shores of the "Great Salt Water" (presumably the [[Atlantic Ocean]] near the [[Gulf of St. Lawrence]]). They were instructed by seven prophets to follow a sacred ''miigis'' shell ([[whiteshell]]) toward the west, until they reached a place where food grew upon the water.<ref>Benton-Banai (1988), pp. 89-102</ref> They began their migration some time around 950,<ref name="BBonezerotwo">Benton-Banai (1988), pg. 102</ref> stopping at various points several times along the way, most significantly at ''Baawitigong'', [[Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario|Sault Ste. Marie]], where they stayed for a long time, and where two subgroups decided to stay (these became the [[Potawatomi]] and [[Ottawa]]). Eventually, after a trick by two of the clans, the other clans travelled West (see William Warren's account of this incident) and arrived at the [[wild rice|wild ricing]] lands of Minnesota and Wisconsin (wild rice being the food that grew upon the water) and made ''Mooningwanekaaning minis'' ([[Madeline Island]]: "Island of the [[yellow-shafted flicker]]") their new capital. In total, the migration took around five centuries.<ref name="BBonezerotwo" />
-Following the migration there was a cultural divergence separating the Potawatomi from the Ojibway and Ottawa. Particularly, the Potawatomi did not adopt the agricultural innovations discovered or adopted by the Ojibway, such as the [[Three Sisters (agriculture)|Three Sisters]] crop complex, copper tools, conjugal collaborative farming, and the use of canoes in rice harvest.<ref>Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes, Waldman & Braun.</ref> The Potawatomi also [[gender roles in First Nations and Native American tribes|divided labor according to gender]], much more than the Ojibway and Ottawa did.
+Following the migration there was a cultural divergence separating the Potawatomi from the Ojibway and Ottawa. Particularly, the Potawatomi did not adopt the agricultural innovations discovered or adopted by the Ojibway, such as the [[Three Sisters (agriculture)|Three Sisters]] crop complex, copper tools, conjugal collaborative farming, and the use of canoes in rice harvest.<ref>Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes, Waldman & Braun.</ref>
-===Other ceremonial acts and beliefs===
-* ''Jiingotamog'' and ''Niimi'idimaa'' (Ceremonial and Secular [[Pow-wow]]s)
-** [[Sun Dance]]
-** [[Jingle dress]]
-* [[Sweat lodge]]
-** ''madoodiswan'' (or ''madoodoo'igan'') (sweat lodge)
-** ''madoodoowasin'' (sweat stone)
-* [[Seven fires prophecy]]
-* [[Seven Grandfathers]]
-** ''Nibwaakaawin'' (wisdom)
-** ''Zaagi'idiwin'' (mutual love)
-** ''Minaadendamowin'' (respect)
-** ''Aakode'ewin'' (bravery)
-** ''Gwayakwaadiziwin'' (honesty)
-** ''Dabaadendiziwin'' (humility)
-** ''Debwewin'' (truth)
-* ''Oshkaabewis'' - A ceremonial assistant to the ''Midewinini''.
-** [[Drumkeeper]]
-** [[Firekeeper]]
-** Pipekeeper
-* ''Mizhinawe'' - A sexton to the ''Midewiwin'' ceremony.
-* [[Dreamcatcher (Native American)]]
-==''Aadizookaan''==
-{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}
-Traditional stories told by the Anishinaabeg are the basis for the oral legends.  Known as the ''aadizookaanan'' ("traditional stories," singular ''aadizookaan''), they are told by the ''debaajimojig'' ("story-tellers", singular ''debaajimod'') only in winter in order to preserve their transformative powers.
 ===Nanabozho stories===
@@ Line 59: / Line 25: @@
 '''[[Nanabozho]]''' (also known by a variety of other names and spellings, including ''Wenabozho'', ''Menabozho'', and ''Nanabush'') is a [[trickster]] figure and [[culture hero]] who features as the protagonist of a cycle of stories that serve as the [[Anishinaabe]] origin belief. The cycle, which varies somewhat from community to community, tells the story of Nanabozho's conception, birth, and his ensuing adventures, which involve interactions with [[Manitou|spirit]] and animal beings, the creation of the Earth, and the establishment of the [[Midewiwin]].  The myth cycle explains the origin of several traditions, including [[mourning]] customs, beliefs about the [[afterlife]], and the creation of the sacred plant ''asemaa'' ([[tobacco]]).
-====The Song of Hiawatha====
-{{Main article|The Song of Hiawatha}}
-'''''The Song of Hiawatha''''' is an 1855 [[epic poem]] by [[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow]] based on the Nanabozho stories. Longfellow credited as his source the work of pioneering ethnographer [[Henry Rowe Schoolcraft]], specifically Schoolcraft's ''Algic Researches'' and ''History, Condition and Prospects of the Indian Tribes of the United States.''
-===Spiritual beings===
-{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}
-In the ''aadizookaan'' many '''''[[manidoo|mydo]]g''''' ("spiritual beings") are encountered.  They include, but not limited, to the following.
-* ''[[Muse|Aadizookaan]]ag'' (singular ''Aadizookaan'') - Manifestation of the traditional teachings, often seen as being the [[Muse]]s.
-* [[Thunderbird (mythology)|''Animikiig'']] ("thunderers", singular ''animikii'') also called "thunderbirds" (''binesiwag'', singular ''binesi'')
-* [[Aniwye]] is a [[skunk]] spirit and was the first skunk to be given the smell by Nanabozho when he was starving.
-* [[Bagwajiwinini]]wag - Anishinaabe for [[Bigfoot]] or [[Sasquatch]], literally meaning "Wildmen" or "Wildernessmen."  In the aadizookaan, they represent honesty.
-* [[Baykok|''Bakaak'']] is a flying skeleton. He is in this form for committing an act of murder and this is punishment for that act.
-* [[Chakenapok]] or '''Chakekenapok''' - in the ''aadizookaan'' with Chekenapok, [[Nanbozho]] is the second son (and ''Bapakiwis'' is omitted) and instead Chakenapok is added as the youngest of ''[[E-bangishimog]]'' 's four sons.
-* [[Mother Nature|Earth-Mother]], aka [[Nokomis|''Nookomis'']] - "Algonquin legend says that "[b]eneath the clouds [lives] the Earth-Mother from whom is derived the Water of Life, who at her bosom feeds plants, animals and men" (Larousse 428)<!--who is Larousse? Which publication?-->. (8) She is known as Nokomis, the Grandmother."  Also known as ''Ogashiinan'' ("Dearest Mother"), ''[[Omizakamigokwe]]'' ("Throughout the Earth Woman") or ''[[Giizhigookwe]]'' ("Sky Woman").
-* ''[[E-bangishimog]]'' - The west wind, ''manidoo'' of ultimate destiny.  E-bangishimog is considered to be the father of ''[[Majiikiwis]]'', ''[[Bapakiwis]]'', ''[[Jiibayaabooz]]'' and ''[[Nanabozho]]''.
-* [[Elbow Witch]]
-* ''[[Gaa-biboonikaan]]'' - Bringer of winter.
-* [[Gitche Manitou|''Gichi-manidoo'']] is the father of life, "The Great Spirit, the Supreme Being"
-* ''[[Jiibayaabooz]]'' - "Spirit Rabbit" who taught methods of communication with the ''[[manidoo]]g'' through dreams, [[vision quest]]s and purification ceremonies.  He is the "Chief of the Underworld."
-* ''[[Majiikiwis]]'' - Eldest son of ''[[E-bangishimog]]'' and brother of [[Nanabozho]] in the ''aadizookaan'' but was cast as the father of [[Hiawatha]] in [[The Song of Hiawatha]] by [[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow|Longfellow]].
-* ''[[Mandaamin]]'' - [[Maize]] manidoo
-* ''[[Memegwesi]]'' (or variously as ''Omemengweshii'', ''Memengwesi'', ''Memegweshi'', etc.) - usually described as a hairy-faced river bank-dwelling dwarfs, often travelling in small groups, appearing only to those of "pure mind" and often to children.
-* ''[[Mishibizhiw]]'' (meaning "Great Lynx"; also known as ''Mishipeshu'') is a horned panther living in the waters, often associated with [[copper]]. While not strictly evil, Mishibizhiw was greatly feared, and often said to cause drowning deaths.
-* ''[[Mishi-ginebig]]'' (also known as Mishikinebik) is a great horned snake, a powerful underground [[manitou|manidoo]] that was the guardian spirit brings that brings wisdom and healing.
-* ''[[Mizaawaabikamoo]]''/''[[Ozaawaabikamoo]]'' - Rock manidoo
-* ''[[Nibiinaabe|Nibiinaabewag/niibinaabekwewag]]'' ("Watermen"/"Waterman-women", singular ''nibiinaabe/nibiinaabekwe'') are [[Merman|mermen]] and [[mermaid]]s
-* [[Wemicus]] is a [[trickster]] spirit.
-* [[Wendigo|''Wiindigoog'']] (singular ''wiindigoo'') are giant, powerful, malevolent cannibalistic spirits associated with the Winter and the North. If a human ever resorts to cannibalism to survive, they are said to become possessed by the spirit of a wiindigoo, and develop an overpowering desire for more human flesh.
-* ''[[Wiisagejaak]]'' - Crane manidoo, also known as "Whiskey Jack"
-* ''[[Nanabozho|Wiininwaa]]'' - A woman entitled as "Norishment" who became immortal through ''manidoowiziwin'' (the process of taking on qualities of a Manitou); daughter of [[Nokomis|''Nookomis'']] and mother of [[Nanabozho]].
 ===Other stories===

v t e Anishinaabe culture
Family	Clan system
Religion, myth and stories	Aayaase Baykok Deer Woman Dreamcatcher Drumkeeper Elbow witch Gitche Manitou Grand Medicine Society Jiibayaabooz Jingle dress Little people Manitou Medicine wheel Mishi-ginebig ("great snake") Mudjekeewis Nanabozho Nokomis Powwow Pukwudgie Seven fires prophecy Shingebis Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers Turtle Island Traditional beliefs Underwater panther Wendigo
Languages	Algonquian Birch bark scrolls Ojibwe Ottawa dialect Potawatomi
Art	Birchbark biting Quillwork Ribbon work Wampum
Education	Anishinabek Educational Institute Canadian residential schools Hannahville Indian School Joseph K. Lumsden Bahweting Anishnabe School U.S. residential schools
Housing	Wigwam