Who Are the Odawa?
The Odawa (also Ottawa) are an Algonquian-speaking people of the Great Lakes, numbering approximately 15,000 across four federally recognized tribes in Michigan and Oklahoma, plus First Nations communities in Ontario. Their name means "Traders"—reflecting their role in pre-contact and colonial-era commerce. They speak Odawa, a dialect of Ojibwe (Anishinaabemowin), with several thousand speakers—healthier than many Algonquian languages. The Odawa formed part of the Council of Three Fires with Ojibwe and Potawatomi; their strategic position on Manitoulin Island and the Straits of Mackinac made them central to Great Lakes trade networks.
Master Traders
The Odawa name itself means "traders"—a reputation earned through sophisticated commercial networks. From Manitoulin Island and Mackinac, Odawa traders moved goods between distant regions: corn from the south, furs from the north, copper from Lake Superior. When French traders arrived, the Odawa became essential intermediaries, controlling access to interior fur resources. Odawa Chief Pontiac led the famous 1763 uprising against British control of the fur trade—the most significant Native resistance before Tecumseh. Though the uprising failed, it forced British accommodation of Native interests through the Royal Proclamation of 1763.
Recognition Journey
Michigan Odawa tribes followed different recognition paths. The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians was recognized in 1980 after decades of effort. The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians achieved recognition in 1994. The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians gained recognition in 1994. The Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma descends from groups removed during the 1830s. Each recognition brought resources, land, and sovereignty—but also ongoing challenges establishing governmental capacity and economic development.
Contemporary Odawa
Modern Odawa tribes operate diverse enterprises. The Grand Traverse Band runs Turtle Creek Casino; Little Traverse Bay Bands operates Odawa Casino. Gaming revenue supports services, land acquisition, and cultural programs. Language revitalization benefits from Odawa's closeness to Ojibwe—resources are shared across Anishinaabe communities. Traditional arts, ceremonies, and powwows maintain cultural connections. Environmental protection of Great Lakes waters is a priority; the tribes participate in fishery management through treaty rights. How Odawa tribes coordinate across separate governments while preserving shared Anishinaabe heritage shapes these master traders' future on their beloved Great Lakes.
References
- Cleland, C. E. (1992). Rites of Conquest: The History and Culture of Michigan's Native Americans
- Dowd, G. E. (2002). War Under Heaven: Pontiac, the Indian Nations, and the British Empire
- Blackbird, A. J. (1887). History of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan