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Ojibwe |  |
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Ojibwe | |
The Wolf Ridge Ojibwe Snowshoe class provides many extension possiblilites for the classroom. Tie-ins can be made to a variety of topics including human cultures and history, cultural arts, storytelling, resource use, traditional lifestyles and skills, and more. Visit this page periodically as we will add new activities and links suggested by Wolf Ridge visiting school teachers, and eventually our own interactive on-line activities.
1. Narrative Pictures
Introduce the concept of narrative pictures. Using the source Chippewa Customs (Francis Densmore, 1979, ISBN 0-87351-142-5, pp 180-183), guide the students through the picture of the journey of a twelve year old boy and the spreading of the smallpox epidemic. An extension of this activity would have students create their own narrative picture by describing an event in their life. Upon completion they will present them to the class.
Graduation Standard: 4-5th People and Culture: Historical Events (1)
2. Ojibwe Names
Each Ojibwe person typically had several names. A common or nickname would be given according to your appearance, an attribute, or incident in your life. These nicknames were usually short and often humorous. You also also received a powerful “dream name” shortly after birth, given ceremonially by an elder in the tribe, and at puberty you might give yourself another “dream name” associated with your “spirit power." This last name was seldom mentioned. (Densmore) The classroom teacher, playing the role of the “elder,” can bestow Ojibwe nicknames upon the students. Construct nametags so everyone in the class can learn and remember one another’s name.
3. Ojibwe Migrations
Construct a map tracing the route of movement of the Ojibwe people from the east coast to the Lake Superior area. Suggest several reasons for this westward migration. (Sources: Chippewa Customs, Francis Densmore, 1979, ISBN 0-87351-142-5, History of the Ojibway People, William Warren,1984, ISBN 0-87351-162-X, The Chippewa Over Three Centuries, Wyman, 1993, ISBN 1-878619-23-3)
Graduation Standard: 6-8th People and Culture: Geography and Culture: (2)
1. Student’s Heritage
Each student will interview their parents or grandparents to discover where and how they lived when they were growing up. Make a list of the best and worst aspects of their past lifestyle. Do parents or grandparents still incorporate the good parts? If yes, what are they? If no, why not?
Graduation Standard 6-8th Inquiry: Direct Observation: (2)
2. Making Snowshoes
Schools can purchase Ojibwe style snowshoe frames and lacing from Wilcox and Williams Co., 6105 Halifax Ave., Edina, MN 55424, 952-929-4935. Following step-by-step instructions provided, students can lace a snowshoe in class in about 5 hours. Bindings can be purchased from the same company. Then take your class out on a snowshoe hike, and use them at school for years of snowshoe adventures.
Graduation Standard: H.S. Resource Management: Technical Systems (B,E)
3. Oral Tradition
The teacher reads an Ojibwe legend to the students. Student volunteers then re-read portions of the legend while the teacher, with student help, draws symbols on the board as guides for future re-tellings. Using the symbol guides, have other students re-retell the legend. Appreciation for consistent storytelling will be gained.
Graduation Standard 4-5th, People and Cultures: Institutions and Traditions in Society (E)
Under construction.
Class Description:
In this human culture and history class, students will be introduced to Ojibwe history, seasonal lifestyle and use of natural resources. After learning the basics of snowshoes, they will travel on snowshoes to a recreated Ojibwe site of 200 years ago, learning about the value and uses of five different kinds of trees along the way. They tour a summer home, then settle into a winter home to view tools, listen to legends and practice the simple skills of flint and steel use and twine making from basswood bark. Another snowshoe hike returns them to the classroom for a short conclusion.
Total Time: 3 hours (2 1/2 hours outdoors)
Audience: 6-20 students, 4th grade through adult
Activity level: Moderate
Travel: 1/2 mile
Total Uphill Travel: 50 ft.
Outcomes
Upon completion of the Ojibwe Snowshoe class students will be able to:
- Compare and contrast different materials and styles of snowshoes.
- Show ability to maneuver across the snow on snowshoes.
- Identify some of the natural resources used by the Ojibwe of 200 years ago.
- Give examples of some techniques used by the Ojibwe to cope with winter.
- Compare the seasonal lifestyle of the Ojibwe with the student's own.
- Evaluate and choose aspects of traditional Ojibwe lifestyle to combine with our own, and incorporate into our daily lives.
Minnesota Graduation Standards
The Ojibwe Snowshoe class will provide students with guided practice, in an authentic setting, to support the following Graduations Standards. We have chosen one to three “major focus” standards per grade level. Due to the holistic nature of environmental education, several other standards, not listed here, are addressed as well.
• H.S. Inquiry: History Through Culture (A, B)
• H.S. People and Cultures: Human Geography (A, C, E)
• H.S. Decision Making: Physical Education and Fitness (B)
• 6-8th People and Cultures: Geography and Culture (1-5)
• 6-8th People and Cultures: History and Citizenship (1, 2)
• 6-8th Decision Making: Physical Education and Fitness (1, 6)
• 4-5th People and Cultures: Historical Events (3)
• 4-5th People and Cultures: Geography and Citizenship (3c)
• 4-5th Decision Making: Physical Education and Fitness (1, 4)
Wolf Ridge Curriculum Concepts