At the core beliefs of the Anishinabeg is the notion of respect. This means that each element (animal, plant, insect, rock, etc.) is part of the cycle of life. Each has its purpose and deserves as much respect as any other element. Therefore, only the necessary resources were collected and offerings were made in gratitude mostly with tobacco.
Another important belief system is the circle; everything is symbolic to a circle. The seasons form a circle, just like the circle of life; this belief is also reflected in hunting habits. Thus, when families went to their winter hunting camps, they used a different area almost every year. They rotated to allow time for the forest to regenerate and species to reproduce.
Great importance was also given to dreams and visions. For example, a shaman’s vision would demonstrate where herds would be found and this would determine the hunting area. Visions could also influence group decisions to deal with the future, particularly in respect to war.
This is also why, when they reached puberty, each member of the group was isolated and sent on a quest for a vision where his name, his guardian spirit and his role in life would be revealed, roles such as a hunter, a medicine man, etc.