Chippewa

Chippewa are also known as Ojibwe meaning puckered moccasin people. In the geographic area members prefer to be called Anishinabe which include Chippewa, Ottawa and Potawatomi and several other tribes.

Unlike the Nations in the South who were first encountered by the Spanish, Northern Tribes and Nations were met by the French in the early 17th century. Since the climate was harsh during the winter months and horses were not yet native to the lands. People used snowshoes, sleds and pack dogs to get around, often trading fur. However, Chippewa were well known for their Birch Bark made Canoes and Wigwams (hut homes made of birch bark). They hunted and fished, made maple sugar and syrup from the Maple Trees and harvested wild rice.

In fact Chippewa were expert hunter and fisherman using bow and arrows, clubs, flails, concealment shields, snares to catch birds. When hunting buffalo, they often set controlled fires to herd the animals into elaborate traps. For fishing fishhooks with sinew lines were made, sinew is ligament or tendon from an animal.

Harvesting wild rice would require two persons, usually a man and woman. The man would navigate the canoe through water reeds with a long pole. While the woman would knock the wild rice grans into the canoe with special paddles called knockers.

Today Chippewa are well known for their beautiful elaborate beading embroidery, baskets and birch bark boxes.