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'Manitou' is a term used to designate the spirits among many Algonquian groups. It refers to the concept of one aspect of the interconnection and balance of nature/life, similar to the East Asian concept of qi; in simpler terms it can refer to a spirit. This spirit is seen as a (contactable) person as well as a concept. Everything has its own manitou—every plant, every stone and even machines. In the shamanistic traditions the manitous (or ''manidoog'' or ''manidoowag'') are connected to achieve a desired effect, like plant manitous for healing or the buffalo manitou for a good hunt. In the Anishinaabeg tradition ''manidoowag'' are one aspect of the Great Connection. Related terms used by the Anishinaabeg are ''manidoowish'' for small animal ''manidoowag'' and ''manidoons'' for insects; both terms mean "little spirit".
This Manitous do not exist in a hierarchy like European gods/goddesses, but are more akin to one part of the body interacting with another and the spirit of everything.
The name of the Canadian Province of Manitoba is etymologically related to the word "manitou", and likely meant something like "narrows of the Manitou" or "strait of the Manitou" in Cree or Ojibwe.^[1] Also Manitoulin Island means "spirit island".

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References

1. The Origin of the Name Manitoba. Province of Manitoba. Retrieved on 2007-04-15