File:Shores of Gi chi gamiing.JPG

English: Interpretive sign, Agawa Rock, Lake Superior Provincial Park.

Shores of Gi chi Gamiing

Before you is the world's largest freshwater lake, Gi chi Gamiing ("Great Lake") to the Ojibwe. Gi chi Gamiing was vital to the Ojibwe culture, providing food and the main travel route.

Even with modern navigation, travel on the lake can be hazardous with the changing weather. In the spring and early summer the land warms more quickly than the lake and fog is common along the coast. The Ojibwe saw fog as the clothing of thunderbirds. As guardians of the Ojibwe, the thunderbirds visited the world to search out evil spirits with thunder, lightning and storms.

The Ojibwe had great respect for Gi chi Gamiing and its changing moods. To appease Misshepezhieu, the spirit of the water, offerings of food, copper and tobacco were left at sites along the coast by those seeking a safe passage or to give thanks, a tradition still honoured by many.

(poor quality, hard to read Anishinaabemowin side)

Gi chi Gamiing

Niigaan maa waabdaan G-chi zaaghigam, maanda G-chi zaaghigan gii yaamgad dibishko go maa Naas, kidwook anishnaabek, Miijin gii miingowaan, miikam gii yaaroom, gii kwaab miigwood.

G-chigmiing mi zhaa'yin wode niizazmendaagurad, pii nookmik gii aabitikaagmi nibi, pii zhideg maande kii mii chi waang. Maaruba aatsokaaman, Bimaadrijig gii kidruk, maandam wum giiwe gii aucum go naamum mimkii bimeshii. Pii Ziiguzwaaming minwaa Niibing mii nimkii bineshiik bida gashniwood. Nimkii waasmaarin biidoomaaraw miinraa niimskiin.

Bimaadzijig, giin gaadoogaarum, gaa miigaarood miijim, Zhoomaamkezik, Gego esrozskedek, biiraabik, minoraa semaam maa gamiing, gaadaad asrsh Misshepezhieu. Gii miigwetch wii amraad miimraa guerderaad jii dedogoshniiraad, wodi ezhaawood.