Anishinaabe Connection
An indelible chronicle.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s name derives from an Anishinaabe oral tradition.
Long ago, along the Wisconsin shoreline, a mother bear and her two cubs escape a raging forest fire by retreating into the waters of Lake Michigan. The bears swim for a great length of time, when finally a new shore appears. The two cubs become too weary to continue and slip beneath the surface of the water. Mother bear continues onto shore, climbs a high bluff, and survey’s the horizon for her cubs; hoping to catch a glimpse of her young. As she waits she begins to lose hope and rests her head in sadness. Persistent in her watch, she never abandons her search. Over time the winds cover her in sand and the dune takes form of a bear outline. The Great Spirit Manitou honors mother bear’s love and devotion, creating two small islands just offshore, representing the fallen cubs. The bear family, forever united in the sands of “Sleeping Bear Dunes.”
The Anishinabek, inseparable from the land.
Identity, sense of place, and history culminates to one.
Gitche Manitou means Great Spirit, the Creator of all things and the Giver of Life.
Individual tribes of the Chippewa (Ojibwe), Ottawa (Odawa), and Potawatomi (Bodawotomi) comprise what is referred to as the Three Fires Council. Having both English and French influences upon each tribe presents multiple and varied pronunciations of each. All three have similar cultures and often share the same territory. Pronunciation of words and language is one element which differentiates the tribes. Anishinaabe is the autonym for the these three culturally related tribes.
Anishinaabe
The original keepers of Michigan lands.
One important law of nature, keep things pure, especially the water.
Great Lakes, inland lakes, streams, and springs all have their own unique characteristics, uses, and levels of cultural significance to the Anishinaabe. All water is sacred, meaning cherished and spiritual. Water can be used to dilute medicines or as a medicine itself. Water gathered from the Great Lakes, especially from Lake Superior, is one of the most potent medicines. Spring waters contain strong natural healing energy from Mother Earth. The Anishinaabe people continue to honor water spirits today. Twice a year, Spring and Fall, offerings are presented to the Great Spirit by immersing clothing in the water so the spirits will know who they are and not drowned them.
Odawa, traders of goods.
Water allowed for movement of great distance.
