The Saginaw region includes an extensive network of many rivers and streams which converge into the Saginaw River and provided a means for easy travel for the Native American population among numerous settlements and hunting areas, as well as access to Lake Huron. Saginaw was also a frequent meeting location for councils of the Ojibwe, Ottawa and Pottawatomi--the Three Fires of the Anishnabeg. The name of the area as Saginaw most likely comes from the Ojibwe words meaning 'place of the outlet' from sag (opening) and ong (place of).