Oji-Cree facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Oji-Cree

Anishinini
Distribution of Anishinaabe peoples; the Oji-Cree are depicted by the orange band.
Regions with significant populations
Canada (Ontario, Manitoba)
Languages
Oji-Cree, English
Related ethnic groups
Ojibwe, Cree

The Oji-Cree are a First Nation in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Manitoba, residing in a narrow band extending from the Missinaibi River region in Northeastern Ontario at the east to Lake Winnipeg at the west.

The Oji-Cree people are descended from historical intermarriage between the Ojibwa and Cree cultures, but are generally considered a nation distinct from either of their ancestral groups. They are considered one of the component groups of Anishinaabe, and reside primarily in a transitional zone between traditional Ojibwa lands to their south and traditional Cree lands to their north. Historically, the Oji-Cree were identified by the British and Canadian governments as "Cree." The Oji-Cree have identified with the Cree (or more specifically, the Swampy Cree) and not with the Ojibwa located to the south of them. Traditionally, they were called Noopiming-ininiwag (People in the Woods) by the Ojibwe. Oji-Cree at Round Lake First Nation were known as Ajijaakoons (little cranes), due to their chief's name, Ajijaak. The Oji-Cree identify by the autonym Anishinaabe or Anishinini (Original Human).

Their language and culture also derive from mixed Ojibwa and Cree traditions. Anishininimowin (the Oji-Cree language) is more closely related to Ojibwa structurally, although its literary tradition more closely resembles that of Cree. Anishinaabemowin has about 12,600 speakers.

Oji-Cree bands

• Severn River Cree (historical)
  • Big Trout Lake Band of Cree (historical)
    • Bearskin Lake First Nation – Bearskin Lake Reserve
    • Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation – Kitchenuhmaykoosib Aaki 84 Reserve
    • Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation – Muskrat Dam Lake Reserve
    • Sachigo Lake First Nation – Sachigo Lake 1 Reserve, Sachigo Lake 2 Reserve, Sachigo Lake 3 Reserve
  • Deer Lake Band of Cree (historical)
    • Deer Lake First Nation – Deer Lake Reserve
    • Keewaywin First Nation – Kee-Way-Win Indian Settlement, Keewaywin Reserve
    • Koocheching First Nation –
    • McDowell Lake First Nation – MacDowell Lake Indian Settlement
    • North Spirit Lake First Nation – North Spirit Lake Reserve
    • Sandy Lake First Nation – Sandy Lake 88 Reserve
  • Island Lake Band of Cree (historical)
    • Garden Hill First Nation – Garden Hill First Nation Reserve, Amik Wachink Sakahikan Indian Reserve, Wesha Kijay Wasagamach Indian Reserve, Seeseep Sakahikan Indian Reserve, Pe-ta-waygamak Indian Reserve
    • Red Sucker Lake First Nation – Red Sucker Lake 1976 Reserve
    • St. Theresa Point First Nation – St. Theresa Point Indian Reserve, Mukwa Narrows Indian Reserve, Cantin Lake Indian Reserve
    • Wasagamack First Nation – Wasagamack Indian Reserve, Feather Rapids Indian Reserve, Naytawunkank Indian Reserve
• Upland Ojibway (historical)
  • Osnaburgh House Band of Ojibway (historical)
    • Cat Lake First Nation – Cat Lake 63C Reserve
    • Mishkeegogamang First Nation (formerly known as New Osnaburgh House Band of Ojibway) – Osnaburgh 63A Reserve, Osnaburgh 63B Reserve
    • Slate Falls First Nation – Slate Falls Indian Settlement
    • Ojibway Nation of Saugeen First Nation – Ojibway Nation of Saugeen Reserve
  • Fort Hope Band of Ojibway or Cree (historical)
    • Aroland First Nation – Aroland Indian Settlement
    • Constance Lake First Nation –
    • Eabametoong First Nation (also known as Fort Hope First Nation) – Fort Hope 64 Reserve
    • Marten Falls First Nation – Marten Falls 65 Reserve
    • Neskantaga First Nation (formerly Lansdowne House First Nation) – Summer Beaver Settlement, Neskantaga Reserve
    • Nibinamik First Nation (also known as Summer Beaver First Nation – Summer Beaver Settlement
    • Whitewater First Nation –
• Winisk River Cree (historical)
  • Caribou Lake Band of Cree (Historical)
    • Kasabonika Lake First Nation (ᑳᓭᐹᓇᐦᑳ ᓂᐢᑕᒼ ᐊᓂᐦᓯᓂᓂᐗᐠ (Gaa-zebaanikaa Nistam Anisininiwag); unpointed: ᑲᓭᐸᓂᑲ ᓂᐢᑕᒼ ᐊᓂᓯᓂᓂᐗᐠ) – Kasabonika Lake Reserve
    • Kingfisher First Nation – Kingfisher Lake 1 Reserve, Kingfisher 2A Reserve, Kingfisher 3A Reserve
    • North Caribou Lake First Nation (also known as Weagamow Lake First Nation or Round Lake First Nation) – Weagamow Lake Indian Reserve 87
    • Wapekeka First Nation (formerly Angling Lake First Nation) – Wapekeka Reserve 1, Wapekeka Reserve 2
    • Wawakapewin First Nation (ᐙᐙᑲᐯᐎᐣ ᓂᐢᑕᒼ ᐊᓂᐦᔑᓂᓂᐗᐠ (Waawaagabewin Nistam Anishininiwag); unpointed: ᐗᐗᑲᐯᐎᐣ ᓂᐢᑕᒼ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐗᐠ) (formerly Nemeigusabins Lake Band, Long Dog Lake Band or Long Dog Band) – Wawakapewin Indian Reserve
    • Webequie First Nation – Webiqui Indian Settlement, Webequi Indian Reserve
    • Wunnumin Lake First Nation – Wunnumin 1 Reserve, Wunnumin 2 Reserve