List of Nipissing ethnonyms facts for kids

The Nipissing people are an Indigenous group from what is now Ontario, Canada. Like many First Nations, they have been known by many different names throughout history. These names come from their own language (endonyms) or from other groups (exonyms). This article explores some of these names and what they mean.

Names the Nipissing Call Themselves (Endonyms)

The Nipissing people have several names for themselves in their own language, which is a dialect of Anishinaabemowin (the Anishinaabe language).

Anishinaabe: The Original People

The most common name for the Nipissing people is Anishinaabe. This word is used by many related Indigenous groups. It often means "spontaneous men" or "original men." This refers to their belief that they were created in a special way, making them the first or original people. Sometimes, you might see this name shortened to "Nishnaabe."

Nibiinsing: People of the Little Water

The name Nibii(n)sing is another important term for the Nipissing people. It means "at the little water." This name likely refers to their traditional territory around Lake Nipissing, which is a smaller lake compared to the Great Lakes. Over time, this name has been written in many different ways by explorers and historians, such as "Nepissings" or "Nipisings."

Nibiinsinini: Men of the Little Water

A slightly different name is Nibiinsinini(wag) or Nibiinsininii(g). This means "Man (or men) of the little water." It's like saying "the people who live by the little water." The way it's pronounced can be a bit different depending on whether it's spoken by Ojibwa or Algonquin speakers. You might see old spellings like "Bisseriniens" or "Nepicerinis."

Odishkwaagamii: Those at the End of the Lake

Among other Anishinaabe groups, the Nipissing and Algonquin peoples are sometimes called Odishkwaagamii(g). This name means "those at the end of the lakewater." It describes their location, perhaps at the end of a large body of water or a chain of lakes. Some old records might show this name as "Outiskoüagami."

Names Others Called the Nipissing (Exonyms)

Over time, other nations and European explorers gave the Nipissing people different names.

Iroquoian Names: The Sorcerers

The Iroquois people, who were neighbors and sometimes rivals of the Anishinaabe, had a unique name for the Nipissing. They often called them names that meant "sorcerers." This was likely because of the Nipissing people's strong spiritual practices, especially those related to the Midewiwin (a traditional spiritual society). European explorers sometimes translated this as "Nation des Sorciers" (Nation of Sorcerers) in French.

French Names

Early French explorers and traders also had their own names for the Nipissing. Sometimes they called them "Ilgonquines" or "Longs Cheveux," which means "Long Hairs." These names were often based on observations or misunderstandings.

See also

• Algonquin ethnonyms
• Ojibwa ethnonyms
• Potawatomi ethnonyms