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Synopsis
One of the most numerous of the Native populations in North America, the Ojibwes (or Anishinaabeg) are scattered across the United States and Canada. Their traditional territory extended from the northern Great Plains in Manitoba, Canada, to the southeastern shores of the Great Lakes in the United States. Today, Ojibwes live in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota in the United States and in southern Ontario in Canada.
Traditionally, Ojibwe groups moved with the seasons. As European-Americans took over their land through treaties and by force, the Ojibwes were compelled to move to reservations. The Ojibwes, however, never gave up their rights to hunt and gather on the land ceded through treaties. Today, the Ojibwes are forcing the government to honor those treaties. A closely knit people, Ojibwes on and off the reservation work to keep their communities strong.
Children's Literature
This tribe is known by many names: the Ojibwe, the Chippewa and the Anishinaabe. Traditionally, they moved with the seasons. As their land was taken over they were forced to move to reservations but maintained their rights to hunt and gather on the land transferred through treaties. Four chapters discuss this tribe's origins, history, traditional way of life and their life today. Fact boxes in cinnamon color highlight subjects of interest throughout the chapters, including one devoted to speaking Ojibwe, complete with phonetic pronunciations. The text is simple but rich in detail. Attention-getting black-and-white photographs combined with contemporary color prints, illustrations and maps will teach and entertain even non-readers. Interesting quotations pepper the pages in light gray areas. A time line spanning the years 1622 to 1999 and a glossary are located at the end of the book along with a page listing resources for further research (Web sites, videos and books). Another page suggests things to do and think about, such as using odds and ends that are usually thrown away to create artwork like Ojibwe Artist Ron Naganosh, or by writing an essay concerning the difficulties of being forced to move from the country to a city. This book would serve well as a resource book for a child doing a book report or for general reading in an elementary school library or classroom. Part of the "Native American Peoples" series that also includes the titles Commanche, Nez Perce and Mohawk. 2003, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Carolan