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====The Ottawa Indians (pronounced AHT-uh-wuh), meaning “to trade,” originally emerged from the Manitoulin Island, which was considered their native land. This small island was centrally located between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic coast (Automatically). The Algonquian tribe was made up of the Chippewa, Potawatomi, and Ottawa which composed the Council of Three Fires. They migrated to the Great Lakes as one but eventually went their own ways. The Ottawa were the ones that mostly took control of most of the northern part of Lake Huron, which was later accompanied by French explorers and missionaries. The Ottawa were part of the Great Huron Circle (Waldman). They also took part in a trading process, which involved supplying fur to the Huron middlemen who later presented them to the French and proceeded to pay off the Ottawa with European trade goods (Tanner). Their trade mostly dealt with furs, skins, corn, tobacco, roots and herbs (Indian in Michigan). The British bestowed the land with the name “Ottawa” because the term originated from the expression meaning “to trade” (Rayburn). The year 1852 strikes the 200 year anniversary of the fur flotilla that came down the Ottawa River. In celebration of this event the city of Bytown was renamed Ottawa while the river that separates Quebec and Ontario was named after them in regards to the main trade that was done there. The Ottawa benefited later on when the Huron were defeated by the Iroquois, which made it possible for the Ottawa to take over as middlemen as well. It wasn’t until later that the Iroquois also conquered the Ottawa forcing them to break up and go their separate ways throughout the mid-west (Waldman). Many lives and homes were impacted by the inability of these cultures to make peace with one another. The one positive outcome that occurred was the authorization of the dispatch that Queen Victoria made in order to rename the capital of the new Dominion of Canada as Ottawa, so their legacy could live on forever (Rayburn). ==== ====Not only were the Ottawa known for their great trade but for producing the famous Indian leader, Pontiac. Pontiac was mostly known for the revolution against the English colonists just after the French and Indian Wars. Many are quite unsure of Pontiac’s role in this revolt. It is thought that he expected and encouraged the tribes to go against the British, but most of the tribe’s leaders played a great role in encouraging the men to fight as well. Kessel and Wooster stated that the failure of that rebellion had an impact on Pontiac and supposedly drove him to go west. Years later, Illinois had fought and murdered Pontiac at Cahokia which caused a great loss for the Ottawa tribe (2). ==== ==== ==== ====The Ottawa led simple lives for the most part; hunting in the wilderness, fishing in river, gathering and planting food. Their tribe also shared the same beliefs as the Algonquian. They had a belief that there is a Supreme Ruler of the Universe and the creator of all things. They offered worship and sacrifices to this Great Spirit in many different forms also believing that the eye of the Great Spirit is the sun by day and the moon and stars at night. As a result, the Great Spirit would see everything, day and night, and it would be practically impossible to hide anything from it (Blackbird). ==== ====The Ottawas, also known as the Odawa’s, are known for their generosity and welcoming manner. They give gifts for the purpose of maintaining a relationship with each other including friends, the natural world, ancestors, and the manidos, which are the Great Spirits (Pflug). These gifts range from objects, like food and fur, to the most important gift, which is knowledge. Due to the fact that they are traditionalists, the tribe believes that people, native or non-native, are to act in a modest and moral etiquette in order for all of life to balance out. To clarify what is meant by life “balancing out”, one could describe it as when the good deeds and the bad deeds even out to make equilibrium. This struggling lifestyle is known as pimadaziwin, in which they are to seek the most genuine way of living, and ultimately, achieve approval with the manidos. They have a code to follow that is referred to as the “Seven Ways of Being Odawa”. This practice includes being pure in heart, body, and soul, and to be humble, honest, loving, and respectful (Pflug). By conquering these acts, one will be worthy to have contact with the manidos. Along with practicing the Seven Ways of Being Odawa to have contact with manidos, they have prayer, vision quests, sweat lodges, and powwows. ==== ==== ==== ====For a follower of an Abrahamic Religion, the thought of prayer is associated with talking or calling out to the Almighty God, but for the Ottawas, prayer is different. Prayer is in the form of bonding and connecting with things around you. The traditionalists believe there is a power greater than themselves; however, the manidos are a part of the world unlike the Abrahamic God (Edwards). ==== ====Vision quests are a little different than prayer. According to Dr. Edwards, vision quests are usually delivered to the human by an animal. During this experience, it is common for the animal to give the message without saying any words, almost like a mutual understanding between the two. It is difficult for the person to explain their vision quest to someone else because these encounters are too personalized for other to understand. ==== ====Sweat lodges are done in hopes of receiving a sign from the manidos and to be purified from their evils. The men build a tent or a tepee that has ventilation so that they are able to create a fire inside. The tent’s temperature begins to rise, causing a sauna effect. The men of the tribe enter, with minimal clothing, and sit around the fire. (Women are allowed to partake in sweat lodges, although the two sexes will participate separately. It is less likely for women to join due to the fact that they are purified every month with menstruation.) The pipe-carrier then offers the tobacco-filled pipe to everyone (Pflug). ==== ====Powwows are considered the most common of all the rituals because it happens more frequently than the other rituals and non-native people are invited and encouraged to join in the dancing. A powwow is conducted in an arbor, which is a circular arena located on sacred land. A powwow is done to undergo a trance-like state where they feel connected to life around them, past and present. During this ritual, different types of dancers enter the arbor in a certain sequence. First the head dancers enter, then the veteran dancers, the flag bearers, the male traditional dancers, the male fancy dancers, the woman, and then the children come to dance lastly (Pflug). The beat of the drum captivates their bodies and mind, intensifying as the dance continues. At the peak of the powwow dance, they hopefully enter a state where they are in a daze and connected to the world around them, including their ancestors. The purpose of this is to become humble and to remember their rank in the Circle of Life. Powwows are practiced today so that the natives can feel connected, along with proving to their ancestors that they are still strong in their ways. ==== ====Our field research also took us to the wetlands of Indian Mound Park Indian Mound Park, located in Sheboygan, WI and Henschel’s Indian Museum, located in Elkhart Lake, WI where we were able to stand just feet away from the burial mounds of the natives. The mounds took many different shape forms including a panther, oval, deer, concial and so on. Their shapes were still intact and visible as if they had not been touched for many years even after all of the rain and erosion. ====

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==== From actually seeing and holding artifact, to hearing the stories from hundreds of years ago, Henschel’s Indian Museum was an excellent fieldwork experience. Like Indian Mound Park, Henschel’s Indian Museum had burial mounds alike. The shapes that were constructed included a lizard, panther, an oval, deer and so on. Gary Henschel did an exceptional job with setting up the museum in a way that was exciting and educational for people of all ages. His knowledge on the topic was outstanding, considering a great deal of stories has come from his family and personal experiences. While visiting Indian Mound Park and Henschel’s Indian Museum, we were able to take a step back in time and appreciate the naturalistic view. ==== ==== With our research, we have established the Ottawa Indians have a vast cultural history. They have fought wars that have developed through tragedy. The Ottawa Indians legacy will be forever remembered by their tribute city, Ottawa. Their rich history involved early trading, nomatic lifestyles and humble ways. They still continue to partake in their ancient rituals that have been passed down from generation to generation. ====

 Work cited: 1. Waldman, Carl. "Ottawa." //Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes//, Third Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. //American Indian History Online//. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE43&iPin=ind2407&SingleRecord=True (accessed May 10, 2011). 2. Blackbird, Andrew J. // History of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan: A Grammar of Their Language and Personal and Family History of the Author. //Harbor Springs, Michigan: The Ypsilanti Job Printing House, 1887. Print. 3. Rayburn, Alan. “A Capital Name From a Fur-Trading People.” // Wilson Web. //Wilson Web. April 1996. <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">4. // <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The Indian In Michigan: Ottawa, Chippewa, Potawatomi. //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Lansing, Michigan: Michigan State Commission on Indian Affairs, 1970. Print. <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">5. // <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Sheboygan Indian Mound Park. //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Sheboygan, Wisconsin: Town and Country Garden Club, Inc., 2005. Print. 6. Kessel, William B., and Robert Wooster, eds. "Pontiac." //Encyclopedia of Native American Wars and Warfare//. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. //American Indian History Online//. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE43&iPin=ENAW0419&SingleRecord=True (accessed May 10, 2011). 7. Kessel, William B., and Robert Wooster, eds. "Pontiac's Rebellion." //Encyclopedia of Native American Wars and Warfare//. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. //American Indian History Online//. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE43&iPin=ENAW0420&SingleRecord=True (accessed May 10, 2011). 8. Waldman, Carl. "Iroquois Invasions." //Atlas of the North American Indian//, Third Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2009. //American Indian History Online//. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE43&iPin=ind5603&SingleRecord=True (accessed May 10, 2011). 9. Tanner, Helen Hornbeck. "'Trading with the French'." //Ojibwa//, Indians of North America. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1992. (Updated 2008.) //American Indian History Online//. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE43&iPin=INAoji03&SingleRecord=True (accessed May 10, 2011). <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">10. "Ottawa Indians", //Ohio History Central//, July 1, 2005, [] <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">11. Gary Henschel. Personal Interview. 29 April, 2011. <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">12. Henschel’s Indian Museum & Trout Farm. N8661 Holstein Road, Elkhart WI 53020. 29 April, 2011. <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">13. Indian Mound Park. South 9th Street. 2 May, 2011. <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">14. King, Cecil. ‘OTTAWA.” // Encyclopedia of North American Indians (Houghton Mifflin) //. 453-455. United States: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 1996. // History Reference Center //. EBSCO. Web. 6 May 2001. <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">15. Pflug, Melissa A. “Pimadaziwin: Contemporary rituals in Odawa community.” // American Indian Quarterly // 1996: 489. // America: History & Life //. EBSCO. Web. 28 April. 2011 <span style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">16. Dr. Edwards. Personal Interview. 6 May, 2011.