There are a lot of Native American tribes out in the world that not many people are familiar with, Potawatomi is one of them. Before researching I did not know that this tribe still existed today.
The Potawatomi Native American tribe goes back a long while in history. “Prior to the 1500 A.D. the Potawatomi tribe migrated to the shores of Lake Michigan” (Loew, 2001, p. 99). They have lived in the Great Lake region for at least four centuries (Potawatomi Culture). The Potawatomi tribe refers to themselves as the “Keepers of the Fire” (Potawatomi Culture). They are also known as Neshnabek, which means “true people” (Potawatomi Culture). Potawatomi covered most of the territory of the lower peninsula of Michigan (Potawatomi Culture). …show more content…
Beginning with transportation. The Potawatomi tribe used canoes to get from place to place. These canoes were light weight made from birch bark, which made them faster in water and much easier to carry around on land (Loew, 2001). The diet of a Potawatomi Native American consisted of corn, beans, and squash (Loew, 2001). Traditionally the Potawatomi relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering of food in the summer, and also maintaining gardens (Potawatomi Culture). Hunting was usually done in large groups, but some ventured out on their own. The animals that were hunted consisted of elk, deer, and beaver. Men used bow and arrows and wooden clubs while hunting their prey. When fishing, their weapons of choice consisted of spears and nets. The women collected other food from wild plants, usually consisting of berries, nuts, roots, and wild greens (Potawatomi Culture). Men stayed on the reserve to plant and grow tobacco. Family life in the tribe was also much different. Potawatomi married outside their clans, often intermarrying with Ojibwe and Odaawa (Loew, 2001). “The intermarriages reinforced the Three Fires alliance and offered an added measure of protection to Potawatomi families and villages” (Loew, 2001, p. 99). The Potawatomi could depend on the kinship between the intermarriages during times of trouble. (Loew, 2001, p. …show more content…
“Potawatomi oral tradition tell of three brothers: Ojibwe, the oldest, was the faith keeper, Odaawa, the middle brother, handled trade; Bodewadmi, the youngest, kept the Sacred Fires lit” (Loew, 2001, p. 99). Different tribes had different practices of religion and beliefs. A specific song and dance was associated with each family (Loew, 2001). Specific rituals and types of knowledge on medicines and ceremonies were different according to the family. In the Potawatomi tribe, their “culture hero was Mana’bozo who was considered the founder of their religious cult” (Smith). Potawatomi focused on three principals of life that they were concerned about. They were food, health, and the proper nutrition of women (Smith). In their culture, any man would starve in order for women whether that be a daughter or wife to be able to get the proper amount of food (Smith). The Potawatomi tribe believed in spirits. They believed that the moon was to be the sun of the night, and the clap of thunder was the collision of gigantic balls in the heavens in some game the spirits of the world were playing. (Smith). Although Potawatomi had their own beliefs they also tried to become familiar with American customs. Many Native Americans of the Potawatomi tribe accepted Christianity, others involved Christian doctrines into their own belief system (Loew,
The Potawatomi Native American tribe goes back a long while in history. “Prior to the 1500 A.D. the Potawatomi tribe migrated to the shores of Lake Michigan” (Loew, 2001, p. 99). They have lived in the Great Lake region for at least four centuries (Potawatomi Culture). The Potawatomi tribe refers to themselves as the “Keepers of the Fire” (Potawatomi Culture). They are also known as Neshnabek, which means “true people” (Potawatomi Culture). Potawatomi covered most of the territory of the lower peninsula of Michigan (Potawatomi Culture). …show more content…
Beginning with transportation. The Potawatomi tribe used canoes to get from place to place. These canoes were light weight made from birch bark, which made them faster in water and much easier to carry around on land (Loew, 2001). The diet of a Potawatomi Native American consisted of corn, beans, and squash (Loew, 2001). Traditionally the Potawatomi relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering of food in the summer, and also maintaining gardens (Potawatomi Culture). Hunting was usually done in large groups, but some ventured out on their own. The animals that were hunted consisted of elk, deer, and beaver. Men used bow and arrows and wooden clubs while hunting their prey. When fishing, their weapons of choice consisted of spears and nets. The women collected other food from wild plants, usually consisting of berries, nuts, roots, and wild greens (Potawatomi Culture). Men stayed on the reserve to plant and grow tobacco. Family life in the tribe was also much different. Potawatomi married outside their clans, often intermarrying with Ojibwe and Odaawa (Loew, 2001). “The intermarriages reinforced the Three Fires alliance and offered an added measure of protection to Potawatomi families and villages” (Loew, 2001, p. 99). The Potawatomi could depend on the kinship between the intermarriages during times of trouble. (Loew, 2001, p. …show more content…
“Potawatomi oral tradition tell of three brothers: Ojibwe, the oldest, was the faith keeper, Odaawa, the middle brother, handled trade; Bodewadmi, the youngest, kept the Sacred Fires lit” (Loew, 2001, p. 99). Different tribes had different practices of religion and beliefs. A specific song and dance was associated with each family (Loew, 2001). Specific rituals and types of knowledge on medicines and ceremonies were different according to the family. In the Potawatomi tribe, their “culture hero was Mana’bozo who was considered the founder of their religious cult” (Smith). Potawatomi focused on three principals of life that they were concerned about. They were food, health, and the proper nutrition of women (Smith). In their culture, any man would starve in order for women whether that be a daughter or wife to be able to get the proper amount of food (Smith). The Potawatomi tribe believed in spirits. They believed that the moon was to be the sun of the night, and the clap of thunder was the collision of gigantic balls in the heavens in some game the spirits of the world were playing. (Smith). Although Potawatomi had their own beliefs they also tried to become familiar with American customs. Many Native Americans of the Potawatomi tribe accepted Christianity, others involved Christian doctrines into their own belief system (Loew,