Ojibwa
People of Forests and Prairies
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Ojibwa describes the history and culture of the people, and introduces their most important figures. It offers the most up-to-date and essential facts on identity, kinships, locations, populations and cultural characteristics. It presents extensive visual coverage of tribal dress and cultural artifacts, dozens of color and archival photographs, specially commissioned color illustrations, regional maps that show prehistoric cultural and historic sites, and maps showing tribe distribution and major historical events.
Now and in the past, the Ojibwa challenge the Navajo and Cherokee as the largest "tribe" north of Mexico, and taken as a whole, likely the largest before European contact. At the zenith of their expansion -- about 1800 -- they claimed an estate probably greater than any other native American people north of the Rio Grande, with the possible exception of the Algonkian-speaking Cree. In the United States the Ojibwa are referred to as the Chippewa, and in Canada by a variety of names depending on where they live (Ojibway, Saulteaux, Plains Cree, Bungi, Mississauga and "Cree-Chip"). Today, many Ojibwa today identify themselves as Anishinaubag (Anishinaabe), "Original Men" in their own tongue.
Today approximately one third of a million people are descendants of the numerous bands of the Ojibwa Indian peoples. Many are enrolled members of reservation agencies within the U.S. or registered as band members of First Nation reserves in Canada. Others are self-identified in the U.S. census, or in Métis communities in both the U.S. and Canada.
This is one of the most comprehensive, up-to-date and useful references published in recent years. Scholarly and accessible, it is an important record of the Native American peoples and an essential purchase for schools and libraries.
About this Author
Michael G. Johnson has been a researcher of the material culture, demography, and linguistic relationships of Native American peoples for more than 30 years, through academic institutions in North America and Europe and during numerous field studies conducted through the hospitality and co-operation of many present-day Native American communities. Johnson has published many books, including Iroquois, Arts and Crafts of the Native American Tribes and the award-winning The Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes.
Reviews
Native American expert Johnson (Arts and Crafts of the Native American Tribes, 2011) succinctly covers Ojibwa history, then moves on to a spirited survey of the Ojibwa experience as reflected in material culture. In this inviting volume, paintings, images of artifacts, archival photographs, and other illustrations appear on every page in concert with a smoothly flowing, information-rich narrative. Johnson explicates the design, creation, and significance of different types of canoes, wigwams, and clothing. The rich array of styles (beaded, embroidered) and design (organic, geometric) reflects the diversity of the Ojibwa world. With annotated listings of key individuals and places, Johnson's overview establishes an illuminating historical context and captures the ongoing vitality of Ojibwa culture and life.
Recommended. All readership levels.
With this informative book, Johnson (Arts and Crafts of the Native American Tribes) manages to concisely describe the Ojibwa's history, demographics, cultures, artwork, and tribal divisions, encompassing thousands of years and many different cultural and geographical groups... Johnson catalogs the tribes' regional customs and discusses the Ojibwa's history of interactions with European settlers, though his book is more of a reference guide to Ojibwa culture than a critical study of the effects of colonialism. The chapters on Ojibwa art are especially fascinating. The book's layout is stunningly packed with full-color paintings and illustrations, photos of artworks and artifacts, and historical photographs. This study will appeal to anyone interested in First Nations people and would make a great addition to reference libraries.
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