Namè: Culturally important to the Ojibwe people
The Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), also called rock sturgeon, is a North American freshwater fish, one of about 25 species.
Sturgeon is found in the Mississippi River basin, the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, the Detroit River, Lake Winnipeg, and the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers. In the north, it is found in the Hudson Bay Lowland.
Valued by the Anishinaabeg as a good source and a spiritual symbol, namè, or lake sturgeon, continues to be cared for and protected by the Ojibwe people today and plays an important cultural role.
Namè belongs to the Ojibwe clan system, which assigns different roles for people within the tribal communities. Giigoo doodem (fish clan members) are known as the wise people: teachers and scholars within the community. They work with youth, solve inter-clan disputes, and are problem-solvers.
Stories about namè in the Ojibwe oral tradition relate the relationship that Anishinaabeg have had with gete giigoonh (ancient fish). These fish, among others, give themselves up time and time again for the survival and sustenance of the people. This act of selflessness relates the unconditional love that comes from nimama aki and all the orders of creation.
There are many biboon aadizokanag (wintertime stories) in which many figures play a key role in the survival of the Ojibwe people. Namè is one of those characters that reached out to original man.
One Ojibwe story relates that namè swallowed the kind son-in-law of the wicked Mishos to protect him and return him to his loved ones.
Another LCO elder recalls being told of past adventures riding the backs of large sturgeon in the spring time when the ice is first out. At that time those large fish lived in the Namekagon and Flambeau Rivers and migrated in great numbers upriver.
What happened to namè?
The lake sturgeon belongs to a prehistoric family of fishes that were in the water when dinosaurs roamed the earth. However, in the early 1800s, commercial fishermen considered these large, ancient fish as nuisance fish. They were killed and tossed on shore as worthless. In the late 1800s sturgeon eggs were sought after as highly-valued caviar. Namè became a target species, leading to over exploitation.
By the early 1900s few were left to catch.
Over exploitation was accompanied by habitat loss and degradation. Dams blocked lake sturgeon from reaching spawning grounds, some which became silted over and polluted with run-off from onshore.
The ancient namewag (sturgeons) were disappearing.
Of "Specian Concern" in the 21st Century
Lake sturgeon are listed as Endangered, Threatened or of Special Concern in 19 or 20 states throughout its range. In Minnesota and Wisconsin they are listed as species of Special Concern.
Restoration efforts are underway; however, the spawning cycle of lake sturgeon (every 4-9 years) and late sexual maturity makes restoration efforts difficult, requiring monitoring and reinforcement through stocking.
Historically, lake sturgeon were found through the Mississippi River and its tributaries, all of the Great Lakes and most of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Red River from Minnesota to Hudson Bay, and many tributaries of Hudson Bay.
Tribes are working to help them return to native waters.
