Ojibme

Ojibme refers to the Ojibwe people, one of the largest Indigenous nations in North America. The spelling Ojibme is uncommon; the more widely used forms are Ojibwe, Ojibwa, or Chippewa. The Ojibwe (also Ojibwe–Anishinaabe) belong to the Anishinaabe peoples and traditionally inhabited the Great Lakes region, including parts of present-day Canada (Ontario, Manitoba) and the United States (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan).

The Ojibwe language, or Anishinaabemowin, is a member of the Algonquian language family and comprises several dialects. It is written in several orthographies, including Canadian Aboriginal syllabics in some communities and Latin-based scripts elsewhere. Language revitalization programs, immersion schools, and media efforts are ongoing to preserve and expand the use of Ojibwe.

Historically, the Ojibwe were forest and river-based peoples who traded furs with European explorers and fur traders, forming alliances with the French, and later with the British and Americans. They signed numerous treaties, defining land rights and reservations. In the 19th and 20th centuries, assimilation policies, relocation, and residential schools disrupted communities, leading to social and cultural challenges that persist in some areas.

Culture centers on family, clan systems, and ceremonies. The Midewiwin, a traditional medicinal society, and ceremonial practices sustain spirituality for many communities. The Ojibwe are known for birchbark canoes, intricate beadwork, quillwork, and wampum belts. Wild rice (manoomin) harvesting remains an important cultural and economic activity for many communities.

Today, Ojibwe communities are widely recognized as First Nations in Canada and tribes in the United States. Rights to land, hunting, and fishing are preserved through treaties and modern agreements, with ongoing efforts toward self-government, treaty settlements, and language and cultural revitalization.