The term Ojibwe comes from Utchibou, name given to the XVIIe century to a group who lived north of what is now Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.Here is one of their tales: How the birch tree got it's burn.
The Ojibway were part of a series of very close, but distinct groups, occupying a territory located between the northeast of the bay Georgian and eastern Lake Superior. These peoples who gathered near present-day Sault Ste. Mary are also called Saulteaux, a term that today refers primarily to the Ojibway peoples of northwestern Ontario and southeastern Manitoba.
The Ojibwe people always had stories to tell that had a moral. A main character who was always used was Waynaboozhoo. But it is told that you cannot tell a Waynaboozhoo story in the spring, summer, or fall, only when there is snow on the ground or it is said that a frog will be in your bed. You can put down cedar and ask to tell the story and nothing will happen to you or your bed. This is what I am told. Now this is the story about how the birch bark got its burns. Often stories have different morals or different explanations so this one may be somewhat different from others that you have heard.
It was wintertime and Waynaboozhoo's grandmother called him to her. “Waynaboozhoo, omaa bi izhaan!” » she called. “Come here. It is cold and we have no fire for warmth or to chef and prepare our food. I ask of you to go to find the fire, ishkodence, that Thunderbird has in the west. »
"Grandmother," Waynaboozhoo replied. “I will go and look for the great ishkodence for you. He disguised himself as a waboos, a little rabbit, and headed off to the west looking for the fire.
When Waynaboozhoo finally reached Thunderbird's home, he asked, “Please share the warmth inside your home. I am cold and lost. I will only stay a little while, for I must be on my way. »
The Thunderbird agreed and allowed Waynaboozhoo to enter his home. Inside, Waynaboozhoo saw the fire and waited until Thunderbird looked away. Then, Waynaboozhoo quickly rolled in the fire and took off running toward his home with the fire on his back!
Thunderbird flew behind Waynaboozhoo throwing lightning flashes at him! Waynaboozhoo grew tired and yelled for someone to help him. “Widoka! Widoka washin! Help me! He cried.
Then omaaî mitig, the birch tree, spoke. “Come, hide beside me my brother. I will protect you. »The little waboos hid beneath the tree while Thunderbird flashed and thundered, angry that Waynaboozhoo had stolen the fire. The lightning bolts missed Waynaboozhoo every time but they hit omaaî mitig. Dark burn marks scarred the white bark of the tree. That is why the birch tree now has burn marks on its bark.
