The Ojibwe: The Past and Present of the Anishinaabe by Alesha Halvorson: Book Review

“Fact Finders” 
The Ojibwe: The Past and Present of the Anishinaabe
Alesha Halvorson
Publisher: Capstone Press, 2017

Reviewer: Sharon M. Himsl

Age level: 8 up, 

Pages: 32

The Ojibwe, also known as the Anishinaabe and Chippewa, are a proud people. Their ancestral pride in the past and present are often demonstrated at powwow gatherings today. 

Ojibwe history is mostly centered in the Great Lakes region of the United States and to the north in Canada. They migrated there from the east about one thousand years ago. 

Similar to other Native Americans, their livelihood was influenced by the seasons and the locale. In spring, for instance, their wigwams were built near the maple tree groves, where syrup could be tapped from the trees. Near marshy areas, they further set up camp to harvest the wild rice that grew in abundance. Rice was considered “a gift from the creator,” as it was nutritious and good for the diet. 

Their religion centered around the teachings of Gitchi Manatou (the Great Spirit). Spiritual communication often came to individuals in dreams. Still important today, their basic belief states that everything has a spirit. The Ojibwe are one of few tribes to have recorded their religious beliefs, which were discovered on ancient birch bark scrolls. 

As the third largest tribe in America, 170,000 in the U.S. and 60,000 in Canada, there are 150 bands in existence, but survival was not always easy in the beginning. When trappers visited their land in the 1800s, the French and English fought for control. Sad stories of being forced onto reservations followed, including the famous “Wisconsin Death March.” Halvorson’s presentation is packed with information on current culture as well, all useful in Social Studies curriculum. A Glossary (boldface text) and Timeline are provided. Maps, photos, and sketches are on most pages.