Ways of the Ojibwe

Father Sun/Mother Earth

What are some Ojibwe beliefs about the physical world?

The Ojibwe People have always honored the physical world: the sun, the earth, the moon, and the stars, as well as other natural wonders, such as lightning and thunder. The most important of these are the sun and the earth.

The sun, which is often referred to as "Father Sun," is typically associated with the male and fatherhood. Similarly, the female and motherhood are associated with "Mother Earth." Ojibwe traditional beliefs teach us that just as men and women are very different, so are the sun and the earth. To put it very simply, the sun puts life into all things and the earth sustains all life. As always in the Ojibwe tradition, all natural beings are intertwined, so whether you are talking about the man and the woman, or the sun and the earth, it is important to remember that one cannot give or sustain life without the other.

The Ojibwe believe that the natural elements and the human experience are also interconnected. Take for example the daily occurrence of dawn and dusk. Each day, with the rising of the sun, a human being is given a new day just as the flowers open and the animals stir with life. In the same way, when the sun sets, all life rests: animals, plants and humans go back to sleep. The Ojibwe People thank the Great Creator every day for giving them life.

Another connection between human experience and nature is the concept of ownership. Ojibwe tradition says that no man can own his mother, and no man can own the earth. But, just as a mother grows old and must be taken care of by her children, so must Mother Earth be taken care of by her inhabitants, or children.

As you can see, Ojibwe beliefs are rich with explanations about the secrets of life. These are just explanations — the Ojibwe People do not believe that they have solved the mystery of our universe or the Great Creator, for it is that unsolved mystery which is the beauty of life.

Importance of Elders

Have you ever felt rude asking somebody their age? In American society, that’s not unusual. These days, many people prefer to hide their age because, for the most part, it’s considered unattractive to be old. But for members of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, age is something to be proud of.

Mille Lacs Band members are considered Elders when they turn 55. That’s because they have accumulated life experiences that help them — and others — understand the world better. In fact, there is an Ojibwe legend that says "watch the long-livers — those who have lived longer than you know more than you."

One of the greatest things Band Elders offer are their teachings. They teach Ojibwe language and culture to Band children and adults — often by telling stories. The Elders’ stories about the old days are part of the Ojibwe Peoples’ rich oral tradition. These stories, passed on from generation to generation, help keep the Ojibwe culture alive.

Because Band Elders are so respected, important issues that affect the Band are discussed with the Elders, and their advice is considered when making decisions. The Band has also developed many programs to make life easier for its aging members. These programs include housing, home health aides, and an Elderly Nutrition Program that provides Elders with a nutritious lunch everyday.

In many cultures, young people — especially those who have been to college — believe that they have most of the answers to life’s questions. In the Ojibwe culture, that’s not the case. Young Band members draw on the wisdom of their Elders to find answers to their questions. These answers are why Elders are so important to not only the Ojibwe People, but to all American Indians.

Seven Generations

For Ojibwe People, making a decision with an eye on seven generations ahead means more than just making a long-term decision. It means taking into consideration the lives of seven generations of children.

The idea is: whatever you do today will impact things far into the future. If you pollute the air today, then generations from now, the air will be poisonous to breathe. Chopping down a tree today will mean depleted resources years from now, and so on.

Most people in the United States — and across the world — understand this phenomenon, but usually forget it when it comes to making business decisions. Often our "long-term" decisions only take into account what could happen in the next five or ten or 20 years. People very rarely think seven generations ahead.

According to Ojibwe tradition, thinking seven generations ahead means that your decisions are not selfish and rash. It means that your decisions take into consideration the circle of life. Although it is not always possible to plan so far in advance, it’s important to hold seven generations as an ideal.