Anishinaabeg of the Land

The Anishinaabeg of the land and members of the Anishinaabe First Nation are not insulted when the name Algonquin or Algonkin is given them but, they definitely prefer to be called Anishinaabe, their nation name since immemorial times. Anishinaabeg who are members of the Algonkian language family.

Nine Anishinaabe communities scattered in Outaouais and in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Nine communities called Ojibway, Algonquin, Ottawa, Potawatomi, Saulteaux, Nipissing, Mississauga as well as Oji-Cree and Metis who share the same cultural traditions.

Anishinaabeg True People

In the Anishinaabemowin language, Anishinaabe means the original person and Anishinaabeg means real men or real humans or the true people who proudly preserve their traditions, who remain close to their ancestral ways of life and who carry on with their traditional lifestyle.

We know that Anishinabe is the name the Anishinaabe First Nation use when referring to themselves and, we know that it meant or still means "real men or real humans" but, there are still questions about the origin of the name “Algonquian” or Algonkian to describe a larger linguistic and cultural group such as the Anishinaabeg, the Innu and the Cree.

Anishinaabeg who are inseparable from their land, their identity and their sense of place as in a wide range of connections between people and places. Anishinaabeg who, like other Indigenous peoples in Canada, have suffered under colonial assimilation policies such as the Indian Act and the residential schools.

Seven Anishinaabe Clans

The seven clans of the Anishinaabe Nation are instrumental in their personal identity as well as in their traditional role in society. Seven different clans, seven different animals and seven different roles. Anishinaabe communities who have a long tradition of music.

Artwork Canadian flag by Nigel Fox (Ojibwe)

Birds are spiritual people who can predict the future. Bird clans are historically known as messengers between Earth and Heaven. People and Creator gave the clan the responsibility of caring for the birds.

Bears are police and healers. They know how to use the plants for medicine.The Bear clans are the ones who patrol the woods around the community and who watch for danger.

The Crane and the Loon clans are the leaders and the chiefs. They both work together for the good of all the people of the nation. Cranes are leaders playing one role. Loons are leaders playing another role.

Deer are poets and peacemakers. The Deer clan is the gentle people in the nation. Everything they do is kind and gentle.

Fishes are intellectuals and mediators. The Fish clan settles arguments between the crane and the loon clans. The Fishes are the wise people, they solve the problems within the nation.

Martens are warriors. The Marten clans fight to protect the nation and they are respected for their bravery and their skills.

Montreal Kits
Anishinaabeg of the Land
Anishinaabe Singular - Anishinaabeg Plural

The Abenakis, Anishinaabeg, Atikamekw, Crees, Huron-Wendats, Innus, Maliseets, Mi'kmaq, Mowhawks, Naskapis First Nations and, the Inuit in Inuit Nunangat, the Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada and Alaska.