The Mide Wiwin Or Grand Medicine Society Of The Ojibwa

Midewiwin, or Grand Medicine Society, is a book about a religious society found among the Algonquian of the Upper Great Lakes (Anishinaabe), northern prairies, and eastern subarctic areas of Canada. The community is famous for practicing unique healing methods and a secretive way of organization, although they are open to society and give services to people from outside their community. The book tells about the beliefs, rituals, and origins.

Hiding in a lake under lily pads after fleeing U.S. soldiers, a Dakota woman was given a vision over the course of four days instructing her to build a large drum and teaching her the songs that would bring peace and end the killing of her people. From the Dakota, the "big drum" spread throughout the Algonquian-speaking tribes to the Ojibwe, becoming the centerpiece of their religious ceremonies. This edition of "The Ojibwe Dance Drum, "originally created through the collaboration of Ojibwe drum maker and singer William Bineshii Baker Sr. and folklorist Thomas Vennum, has a new introduction by history professor Rick St. Germaine that discusses the research behind this book and updates readers on the recent history of the Ojibwe Drum Dance.

The Midewiwin is the traditional religious belief system central to the world view of Ojibwa in Canada and the US. It is a highly complex and rich series of sacred teachings and narratives whose preservation enabled the Ojibwa to withstand severe challenges to their entire social fabric throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. It remains an important living and spiritual tradition for many Aboriginal people today.The rituals of the Midewiwin were observed by many 19th century Euro-Americans, most of whom approached these ceremonies with hostility and suspicion. As a result, although there were many accounts of the Midewiwin published in the 19th century, they were often riddled with misinterpretations and inaccuracies.Historian Michael Angel compares the early texts written about the Midewiwin, and identifies major, common misconceptions in these accounts. In his explanation of the historical role played by the Midewiwin, he provides alternative viewpoints and explanations of the significance of the ceremonies, while respecting the sacred and symbolic nature of the Midewiwin rituals, songs, and scrolls.

The indigenous peoples of North America and Greenland have long inhabited and thrived in a variety of terrains and climates. The three different culture areas of the Arctic, American Subarctic, and American Northwest perhaps best exemplify this—from the sometimes stark environment of the tundra to the moderate conditions of the coastal regions in northern California, the indigenous communities in each found ways to subsist on the resources available to them even when facing social, political, or geographic adversity. This compelling volume examines the histories, lifestyles, and the spiritual and cultural traditions of the diverse groups that make up these culture areas.

There is a clear connection between the health of individuals and the legal regime under which they live, particularly Aboriginal peoples. From the early ban on traditional practices to the constitutional division of powers (including who is responsible for off-reserve Indians under the Constitution), this is an historical examination of Canadian legal regimes and the impact they have had on the health of Aboriginal peoples. With an emphasis on the social determinants of health, Boyer outlines how commitments made regarding Aboriginal rights through treaties and Supreme Court of Canada rulings can be used to advance the health of Aboriginal peoples.