Government
The Ojibwe have a very unique government and a moderate sense of political organization. There are at least 21 Ojibwe clans, each symbolizing an animal, fish or bird species. All are self-governing and each Ojibwe band is headed by a chief whose position is earned on the basis of hunting ability, personal appeal and religious knowledge, but also dependent on kinship connections. Among southeastern Ojibwe clans, clans were headed by chiefs, but as farming and a more permanent settlement pattern were adopted, local political organization evolved to include an elected chief, assistant chiefs and a local council. Northern Ojibwa band leadership is supplied by a senior male who is somehow related to the starting family of the clan and is also a skilled trader. Plains Ojibwe clans had several chiefs, but only one is recognized as the head chief. The head chief usually inherited his position, held it for life and was assisted by councilors elected by the adult male members of the clan. Secondary chiefs achieved their position by deeds in war, skills in hunting, generosity and leadership ability. Shamans are respected and feared individuals, but can also function as band leaders.
All of the clans would divide labour by making different clans have different jobs. For example, the Wawaazizi (Bullhead) clan was traditionally charged with teaching and healing. The Moozwaanowe (Little Moose-tail) clan would scout, gather and hunt food. Defense and healing would be the responsibility of the Nooke (Bear) clan. Authority of all the Ojibwe chiefs were limited and only confined to their own clan. A “Tribal council” (when members from all the clans would meet) would only occur when several clans would unite at times of war, but otherwise were rare.
All of the clans would divide labour by making different clans have different jobs. For example, the Wawaazizi (Bullhead) clan was traditionally charged with teaching and healing. The Moozwaanowe (Little Moose-tail) clan would scout, gather and hunt food. Defense and healing would be the responsibility of the Nooke (Bear) clan. Authority of all the Ojibwe chiefs were limited and only confined to their own clan. A “Tribal council” (when members from all the clans would meet) would only occur when several clans would unite at times of war, but otherwise were rare.
Clear face-to-face hostility is rare in Ojibwe society and they highly believe in disapproving mockery and exclusion. They also believe sorcery and black magic is the main cause of individual misfortune and the cause of making wrong choices in life. The head chief and his council would create the punishments for his clan and among some Ojibwe clans, mutilations and executions could also be deserved as punishments.
The Ojibwe culture was heavily influenced by natural terrains as the Ojibwe adapted their lifestyle to survive in heavily forested land with networks of lakes and rivers. They lived a “seminomadic” life, moving a number of times each year in order to be close to food sources. During winter, the clans would separate into extended families in isolated hunting camps. This would allow the men to cover large hunting areas without competition from other hunters. In warmer months, they gathered in groups of 300-400 people and went to known locations where fish, berries and wild rice were abundant.
The Ojibwe culture was heavily influenced by natural terrains as the Ojibwe adapted their lifestyle to survive in heavily forested land with networks of lakes and rivers. They lived a “seminomadic” life, moving a number of times each year in order to be close to food sources. During winter, the clans would separate into extended families in isolated hunting camps. This would allow the men to cover large hunting areas without competition from other hunters. In warmer months, they gathered in groups of 300-400 people and went to known locations where fish, berries and wild rice were abundant.
To conclude, the Ojibwe did have a logical political organization, but lacked in central authority, since no head chief could obtain more power than his own tribe and Tribal councils would only occur very rarely.