Ojibwe Language
Marcus Ammesmaki taught students how to introduce themselves in Ojibwe. He included a greeting
“aaniin” or “boozhoo” (Hello)
or “manidoo mahiingan in-dizh-in-ikaan-digoo.”+ (Marcus’s name is spirit wolf)
boozhoo- reference to nanaboosh (traditional character in all ojibwe stories)
“makwa nin doondem” (I am bear clan)*
“mikinakak nin doondem” (I am turtle clan)*
“migizi nin doondem” (I am eagle clan)*
“ma’ iingan nin doondem”* (I am wolf clan)*
“waa-bizh-eshi nin doondem”* (I am martin clan)*
If a person does not know their clan they must say
“gaawiin mashi ingi-keni-maasiin indoodem.”+ ( I don’t yet know my clan.)
“niin (your name) (n)indizhinikaaz”* (My name is (your name before or after the whole phrase)).
“indigoo”# (your name or nick name)
(I am called this (your name) – this is what I go by)
He also introduced himself by his clan, which happened to be wolf.
“manidoo mahiingan in-dizh-in-ikaan-digoo.”+ (My name is spirit wolf)
If a person does not know their clan they must say
“gaawiin mashi ingikenimaasiin indoodem.”+ ( I don’t yet know my clan.)
In the Ojibwe Waasa-Inaabidaa dictionary it also says
“boozhoo” or “aaniin” (Hello)
When you introduce yourself you would say
“niin (your name) (n)indizhinikaaz”* (My name is (your name before or after the whole phrase)).
“indigoo”# (your name or nick name)
(I am called this (your name) – this is what I go by)
*Fond du Lac
+Grand Portage/Michigan
#Mille Lacs