Since the 1970s, Louis Bird, a distinguished Aboriginal storyteller and historian, has been recording the stories and memories of Omushkego (Swampy Cree) communities along western Hudson and James Bays. In nine chapters, he presents some of the most vivid legends and historical stories from his collection, casting new light on his people’s history, culture, and values. Working with the editors and other contributors to provide background and context for the stories, he illuminates their many levels of meaning and brings forward the value system and world-view that underlie their teachings.
Students of Aboriginal culture, history, and literature will find that this is no ordinary book of stories compiled from a remote, disconnected voice, but rather a project in which the teller, deeply engaged in preserving his people's history, language, and values, is committed to bringing his listeners and readers as far along the road to understanding as he possibly can.
Authors
- Bibliography, etc. Note
- Includes bibliographical references: p. 247-258
- Control Number Identifier
- CaOOCEL
- Dewey Decimal Classification Number
- 398.2/09714/111
- Dewey Decimal Edition Number
- 22
- General Note
- Includes index Issued as part of the desLibris books collection
- Geographic Area Code
- n-cnh--
- ISBN
- 9781442602199 1551115808
- LCCN
- E99.C88
- LCCN Item number
- B526 2005eb
- Modifying agency
- CaBNVSL
- Original cataloging agency
- CaBNVSL
- Physical Description | Extent
- 1 electronic text (269 p.)
- Published in
- Canada
- Publisher or Distributor Number
- CaOOCEL
- Rights
- Access restricted to authorized users and institutions
- System Control Number
- (CaBNVSL)gtp00521868 (OCoLC)658055830 (CaOOCEL)405158
- System Details Note
- Mode of access: World Wide Web
- Transcribing agency
- CaBNVSL
Table of Contents
- Cover 1
- Contents 8
- List of Maps and Illustrations 12
- Preface and Acknowledgements, The Editors 14
- Glossary of Cree Terms 22
- Words and Personal Names 22
- Place Names 27
- Suggested Language Resources 30
- Maps 32
- CHAPTER 1: AN OMUSHKEGO STORYTELLER AND HIS BOOK 34
- A Quotation Story: “It Must Be Your Thigh Bone that You Hear” 56
- CHAPTER 2: “NOW, THE QUESTION OF CREATION”: STORIES ABOUT BEGINNINGS AND THE WORLD BEFORE WE CAME 60
- Introduction 60
- Giant Animals 67
- Mi-she-shek-kak (The Giant Skunk) 70
- Creator Talks to the Animals About the Emergence of the Humans 79
- E-hep 82
- CHAPTER 3: MI-TE-WI-WIN: STORIES OF SHAMANISM AND SURVIVAL 88
- Introduction 88
- The Dream Quest and Mi-te-wi-win 92
- Guidance and Instruction From an Older Relative 93
- Dream Quest 93
- Extra Senses—Mind Power 98
- Mi-te-wak Fights 101
- Introduction to the Shaking Tent 104
- The Shaking Tent 105
- CHAPTER 4: MI-TEW POWER: STORIES OF SHAMANIC SHOWDOWNS 108
- Introduction 108
- The Legend of We-mis-shoosh 108
- The Young Orphan Boy Defeats a Powerful and Feared Mi-tew 125
- CHAPTER 5: OMENS, MYSTERIES, AND FIRST ENCOUNTERS 134
- Introduction 134
- The Omushkego Captive and the Na-to-way-wak: A Remarkable Escape 144
- Omens, Mysteries, and First Encounters with Europeans 147
- “I Cannot Have Anything from these We-mis-ti-go-si-wak” 148
- “In the Memory of the Wikeson I-skwe-o” 150
- Cha-ka-pesh and the Sailors 153
- Strangers on Akimiski Island: Helping a Grounded Ship 158
- Wa-pa-mo-win, the Mirror 161
- CHAPTER 6: “THE WAILING CLOUDS” (PA-SO-WAY-YAN-NASK CHI-PE-TA-SO-WIN) 164
- Introduction 164
- The Wailing Clouds 170
- CHAPTER 7: ARROWS AND THUNDER STICKS: TECHNOLOGIES OLD AND NEW 190
- Introduction 190
- On Firearms and Archery 197
- CHAPTER 8: MI-TE-WI-WIN VERSUS CHRISTIANITY: GRAND SOPHIA’S STORY 210
- Introduction 210
- Grand Sophia’s Near-Death Experience 213
- CHAPTER 9: CONCLUSION: PROBLEMS AND HOPES 226
- References 248
- Notes on Contributors 260
- Index 262
- A 262
- B 262
- C 263
- D 263
- E 264
- F 264
- G 265
- H 265
- I 266
- J 266
- K 266
- L 266
- M 266
- N 267
- O 267
- P 267
- Q 268
- R 268
- S 268
- T 269
- V 269
- W 270
- Y 270
