The story of our clans

Since time immemorial, the Anishinaabeg have a unique system of government - called gidoodeminaanig in the Ojibwe language, which translates into 'our blood relations,' or 'our clans'. Nowadays in Anishinaabe society, a person's odoodem is the same as that of their father; they say that before contact with the Europeans, people used to be related through their mothers.

The Ojibwe Anishinaabeg had originally five to seven doodem groups, nowadays divided into at least sixty-five different odoodeman.

Each doodem, which is represented by a bird, a fish, a land animal, body parts of an animal, a tree, or a spirit that lives in the lakes or the sky, denotes a common ancestor.

In traditional Anishinaabe society, animals, as they disclose norms and principles for bimaadiziwin, or living long and healthy lives, are looked upon as wise and elder brothers of humankind. Animals represent the basic needs of human society. Each different animal or spirit being seeks to instill in clan members certain virtues to emulate and provides them with a set of life-long responsibilities to live up to - both individually and communally. 

The above wedding rings show the stylized designs of two of the most important gidoodoodeminaanig, or clans of our Peoples: Nooke (bear) and Mishiikenh (Mud Turtle). Bear Clan people are the warriors, healers, historians, and legalists of the Nation; traditionally the Turtle Clans bring forth teachers, healers, and thinkers.