Aki

Aki means earth, land, or the physical world. It is an inanimate noun in Ojibwe grammar, though the concept of aki in Anishinaabe philosophy encompasses a living, breathing entity deserving of respect and care.

The locative form akiing means 'on the earth' or 'in the land.' Aki appears in many compound words and place names throughout the Great Lakes region.

Related words include akiwenzii (old man, literally 'old earth'), akiwan (it is earth/land), and aki-waanzh (mud, literally 'dirty earth'). The concept of aki is central to teachings about environmental stewardship and the responsibility of humans to care for the land.