Ottawa oral literature and texts facts for kids

The Ottawa people, also known as the Odawa, have many interesting traditional stories! These stories are usually split into two main types.

One type is called aasookaan (say: ah-soo-KAHN). These are like sacred legends or myths. They often feature special, powerful characters, like Nenbozh. Nenbozh is a trickster hero who appears in many Anishinaabe stories.

The other type is called dbaajmowin (say: duh-BAH-jmoh-win). These are more general stories or narratives. They don't always have mythical characters. This word can also mean any story that isn't an aasookaan.

Ottawa stories cover many different topics. Some are about history, some tell about conflicts with other groups, and some are just funny!

A Traditional Ottawa Story

Here is a traditional Ottawa story called "Love Medicine." It was told by an Ottawa speaker named Andrew Medler in 1938. Andrew Medler grew up near Saginaw, Michigan, and lived most of his life on Walpole Island.

Love Medicine Andrew Medler

(1) Ngoding kiwenziinh ngii-noondwaaba a-dbaajmod wshkiniigkwen gii-ndodmaagod iw wiikwebjigan.
Once I heard an old man tell of how a young woman asked him for love medicine.

(2) Wgii-msawenmaan niw wshkinwen.
She was in love with a young man.

(3) Mii dash niw kiwenziinyan gii-ndodmawaad iw wiikwebjigan, gye go wgii-dbahmawaan.
So then she asked that old man for the love medicine, and she paid him for it.

(4) Mii dash gii-aabjitood maaba wshkiniigkwe iw mshkiki gaa-giishpnadood.
Then this young woman used that medicine that she had bought.

(5) Mii dash maaba wshkinwe gaa-zhi-gchi-zaaghaad niw wshkiniigkwen.
Then this young man accordingly very much loved that young woman.

(6) Gye go mii gii-wiidgemaad, gye go mii wiiba gii-yaawaawaad binoojiinyan.
Then he married her; very soon they had children.

(7) Aapji go gii-zaaghidwag gye go gii-maajiishkaawag.
They loved each other and they fared very well.