Ojibwe

The Ojibwe, also spelled Ojibwa and known by themselves as Anishinaabe, are Indigenous peoples of North America. The name Ojibwe is the most common English usage; Chippewa is an older exonym derived from French explorers. They are part of the Anishinaabe group within the larger Algonquian language family.

The language: Anishinaabemowin, or Ojibwemowin, is the traditional language of the Ojibwe. It comprises several dialects spoken across a broad area, and is written in both Latin orthography and Canadian Aboriginal syllabics in some communities. The language remains a focus of revitalization efforts, including immersion schools and community programs.

Territory and peoples: The Ojibwe traditionally inhabited the northern Great Lakes region, including parts of present-day Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, with communities across Canada and the United States. They are organized into autonomous bands and tribal councils under modern treaties and governance arrangements.

Culture and society: Ojibwe culture has historically emphasized hunting, fishing, gathering, and maple sugaring, with extensive intertribal trade networks. Social organization has included clan systems and, in some areas, the Midewiwin or other traditional spiritual practices. Today, many Ojibwe continue ceremonies, language programs, and engage in contemporary arts and governance.

History and contemporary status: The Ojibwe were heavily involved in the fur trade with European colonizers from the 17th century onward, forming alliances with French, and later with British and American actors. In Canada and the United States, numerous treaties and reserves defined land rights and governance. Today, the Ojibwe remain one of the largest Indigenous groups in North America, with ongoing efforts toward language preservation, cultural continuity, and self-determination.