--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Ojibways have great respect for the…" description: "\"The Ojibways have great respect for the Bear. According to their legends, in the distant past the Bear had a human form and was in fact an ancestor of ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d54/norval-morrisseau-55062_ancestor_the-ojibways-have-great-respect-for-the_2711142.jpg" --- # The Ojibways have great respect for the Bear. According to… ![“The Ojibways have great respect for the Bear. According to their legends, in the distant past the Bear had a human form and was in fact an ancestor of the Ojibways. Therefore he understands the Indian language and will never attack or fight any Indian if he is addressed properly.” quote by Norval Morrisseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d54/norval-morrisseau-55062_ancestor_the-ojibways-have-great-respect-for-the_2711142.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d54/norval-morrisseau-55062_ancestor_the-ojibways-have-great-respect-for-the_2711142.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d54/norval-morrisseau-55062_ancestor_the-ojibways-have-great-respect-for-the_2711142.jpg) > “The Ojibways have great respect for the Bear. According to their legends, in the distant past the Bear had a human form and was in fact an ancestor of the Ojibways. Therefore he understands the Indian language and will never attack or fight any Indian if he is addressed properly.” [Norval Morrisseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norval-morrisseau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The bear is revered as an ancestor who understands the Ojibwe language and will not harm them if respected properly. **In simple terms:** Bear as ancestor, respected, non‑violent when addressed correctly. Key Takeaway Treat the bear with respect and proper address. Themes respect ancestry peace culture mythology Mood reverent reflective Type cultural mythological When to use this quote - wildlife encounters - cultural education - storytelling - rituals - heritage preservation Key Concepts indigenous belief animism Questions to Reflect On - How does respect influence human‑animal relations? - What rituals ensure respectful communication? A Different Perspective The belief may not be universally accepted outside Ojibwe culture. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ancestor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancestor/) [Bears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bears/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Great respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-respect/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Indian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indian/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Legends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legends/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [They are just 100 per cent bear, whereas human beings feel we're not 100 per cent human, that we're always letting ourselves down. 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