The Anishinabe or Anishinaabe (“original people”) comprise the Ojibway, Odawa, and Potawatomi tribes. In the 16th century, the Ojibway split from these tribes but are still considered Anishinabe.

A do-daim is a clansman. Each clan or family root is named after one of the Animal Brothers, such as a Wolf (54). When a do-daim visited the Ojibway in Chapter 5, the latter welcomed him and listened to his warning regarding the European settlers. Oona’s group of eight families met more do-daim at the White Earth Reservation. In the Ojibway way, it was important to share one’s resources with fellow clansmen.

A Dreamer has a strong connection to the spiritual world and is able to see the future via dreams. They have a special role in Ojibway society—with Oona herself being one. Her dreams foretold events, and she was able to save members of her family and an old man with a broken leg as a result.