The Ottawa Indians

Basic Facts

• How to pronounce- "Att-ta-wa"
• What does Ottawa mean- "traders"
• Language- many speak English but some others speak the native Odawa language

Original Location

• Southern Ontario
• Michigan State
• Usually on a shore

Daily Life

• Children- played, went to school, and helped around the house
• Women- farmers, did child care, and cooked
• Men- hunters and went to war when needed

Spiritual Beliefs

• Gchi Mnidoo-"Great Spirit", this is their creator
• Storytelling is an important part of their culture

Food

• corn, beans, and squash
• deer, moose, fish, and small game
• gathered maple sugar every spring
• wild rice and berries
• dried corn
• raccoon fat
• corn breads and soups

Clothing

• Women-long dresses with detactchable sleeves
• Men-went naked or wore only a cloak
• Everyone wore leather moccasins

Evolution of Housing

• Lived in wigwams
• Over time they made permanent houses resembling log cabins
• Today they live in regualr present day houses

Beadwork and Basketry

• Craft Wampums out of white and purple shell beads
• Wampums often tell stories or represent a persons family

Sports and Games

• Hiding and guessing games were most common
• They also played lacrosse, without all the helmets and padding
• During the winter, they would make snow tracks and throw sticks to see whose would go the farthest, this game being called "Snowsnake"