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 hav...