Ojibwe and Animals : Meaning and Significance
A lesson to be learned within most Native American tribes is that we are Nature's children, called to protect our Earth. Some cultures teach us that it is a blessing to be born into a family of wealth whom live in a palace, but in fact, it is an even bigger blessing to be born into "Nature's wide domain"(Copway, G. First People). Fancy furniture and man-made goods will decay and rot away, while nature will always be here. Everyone is born into Nature's wide domain, it just needs to be embraced and recognized. We are called to protect plants, water, air and even animals, who bare large significance in all Native American tribes.
THE OTTER (Nigig) - An otter is both an aquatic and land mammal. Very sleek looking and playful. Otters are known to be crafty and versatile. Their wide diet includes water animals and insects as well as a few land
creatures. In Ojibwe culture the otter is understood to be a messenger. The otter is also perceived to be the first medicine bag as the otter had sacrificed itself to be the first container of the medicine bags. For the Marten clan, Otters can be warriors, hunters or even strategists.
THE SNAKE (Ginebig) - The snake is one of the major spirit animals of the Midewiwin Society. As common with
many snakes, they are perceived to be quite dangerous yet powerful. Snakes are seen as enforcers. Many stories about snakes include living to regret disrespecting the snake, whether it be a person or their family getting bitten among other things. Snakes are another superstitious creature within Native American culture, most Indigenous people agree they would never allow their family to keep a snake as a pet.
THE OWL (Gookookhoo) - The Owl is commonly feared in Native American culture because it is a bad omen, even representing death to some tribes. They are considered the superstitious creature of Native American culture, comparable to the European-influenced views of a black cat causing bad luck. Owls are often perceived as the embodiment or work of bear walkers (medicine people "drawn to the part of spiritual power [which] would do harm to other people" (Oxendine, J. Great Horned Owl
Symbolism & Meaning, 2011)) but are more commonly used in tales by parents to scare rebellious and disobedient children. The Great Horned and Screech Owl are two of the most feared owls some tribes believe they may not be real birds at all.
THE BEAR (Makwa) - The bear is one of the most prominent creatures in Ojibwe belief. Bears protect their family and continue to fight through injuries, even willing to sacrifice their own life for their young, which goes
hand-in-hand with their significance of protection, strength and leadership within Ojibwe culture. For bear clan members this often means living on the outskirts of the tribe to provide protection for the more vulnerable. Thought to be independent and strong-willed, Bears are also portrayed as healers. Bears are good omens, used in many rituals, prayers, tales and ceremonies. Bear claws are often worn by those seeking leadership or protection.
THE THUNDERBIRD (Animikig) - As opposed to the creatures
above, the Thunderbird is a mythical giant bird who once called Mount McKay (Thunder Bay, ON) home. Thunderbirds have strong extra mundane powers, creating rain, wind, lightning and thunderstorms with their wings and eyes.These powers helped the birds link the spiritual and physical world together. They are viewed as the protectors of the Anishinabek people. Thunderbirds would arrive in spring and fly back south in the fall.
References:
Copway, George https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Wisdom/GeorgeCopway.html
PDF. Pomedli, M. The Otter, Laughter and Treaty Three
http://www.native-languages.org/legends-snake.htm
Oxedine, Jamie K. Great Horned Owl Symbolism & Meaning. 2011. https://www.powwows.com/concerning-owls/
https://spiritsofthewestcoast.com/collections/the-bear-symbol
http://www.native-languages.org/legends-bear.htm
Andra-Warner, E. Ojibwe Thunderbird Mythology: Powerful Spirits of the Sky. 2018. https://northernwilds.com/thunderbirds-powerful-spirits-sky/
https://books.google.ca/books?id=JUGWAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA100&lpg=PA100&dq=owls+and+bearwalkers&source=bl&ots=-8kpFz3OuD&sig=ACfU3U0Vv06kL8IXhGJZGay3Ieao51T7KA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjMouiZrq7pAhXog-AKHY7GA-IQ6AEwA3oECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=owls%20and%20bearwalkers&f=false