Clans The Anishinaabe use of the clan system represents familial, spiritual, economic and political relations between members of their communities. Often an animal is used to represent a person's clan or dodem but plants and other spirit beings are sometimes used as well. The word dodem means "the heart or core of a person." There are different teachings about how many clans there are and which are clans in leadership positions. This is due to the de-centralized mode of governance that the Anishinaabe practice. Each person is a self-determining authority and it is their duty to uphold their own roles and responsibilities for the wellbeing of all our relations. This is understood as the "Law of Non-interference." Nobody can interfere with another being's path unless they are causing great harm to another or themselves. Within the Anishinaabe governance structure there are seven leader clans that each facilitate a specific role and have responsibilities within the community and to the rest of Creation. Within each grouping of clans are seven clans. This means there are a total of 49 total Anishinaabe clans. Waawaakeshi (Deer) Zaagi'idiwin (Love) Maang (Loon) Debaadendiziwin (Humility) Migizi (Bald Eagle) Debwewin (Truth) Makwa (Bear) B'Maadziwin (Good Life or Balanced Life) Ajijaak (Crane) Mnaadendimowin (Respect) Waabizheshii (Martin) Aakedhwin (Bravery) Mshiikenh (Turtle) Nbwaakaawin (Wisdom) The clan system is integral to the Anishinaabe governance structure and to the Anishinaabe way of life as well as spiritual practices. People of the same clan are forbidden from getting married or having intimate relations as this would spell doom for the clan as a whole. History Origins In Anishinaabe cultural tradition it is believed that human beings were created on the earth in four distinct places, in their own way. This is what Gizhe Mnidoo or The Creator intended. There are many versions and parts to the Creation story that tell about the creation of the cosmos, the earth, the plants, the animals and human beings. To Anishinaabe all life contains the sacred breath of life that was given by Gizhe Mnidoo and all things are animated through this sacred breath. The Anishinaabe give thanks for this gift of Creation through the burning or offering of Semaa or Tobacco. Anishinaabe oral tradition and records of wiigwaasabak (birch bark scrolls) are still carried on today through the Midewewin society. This oral and written records contain the Anishinaabe creation stories as well as histories of migration