The Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) people originally migrated westward along the Great Lakes following spiritual prophecies to find the place where "food grows on water" (manoomin, or wild rice). The White Earth Reservation was established in 1867 by a treaty with the U.S. government

The song—often referred to in the Anishinaabemowin language as Manidoo Makwa or Monidoo Mukwa (Spirit Bear)—gained widespread recognition when it was recorded on the Red Shadow Singers' 2006 album, Ghost Dance Songs.