Memories, Myths, and Dreams of an Ojibwe Leader

by William Berens, A. Irving Hallowell, Jennifer Brown

Overview

Because the elderly chief wanted his visitor to understand the Ojibwe world, and because Hallowell was deeply interested in his subject matter and was such a good listener, Berens freely related his dreams and other stories about encounters with powerful beings. The fact that he also shared traditional myths in summer, when Ojibwe people thought it dangerous to discuss such things, shows the depth of his relationship with Hallowell. Berens' reminiscences and story and myth texts are unparalleled as sources for the life, experiences, and outlook of this important Ojibwe leader, and for the insights they provide into the history and culture of his people. Rooted in the collaboration between Berens as steward of his oral traditions and Hallowell as creator and guardian of their written versions, Memories, Myths, and Dreams of an Ojibwe Leader draws the reader into the world - and world view - of Chief Berens, showing how an Aboriginal Christian of the early twentieth century could simultaneously take part in "modern" and "traditional" Ojibwe life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780773580862
Publisher:	McGill-Queens University Press
Publication date:	09/01/2009
Series:	Rupert's Land Record Society Series , #10
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

A. Irving Hallowell (1892-1974) was an American anthropologist who taught for most of his life at the University of Pennsylvania.
Jennifer S.H. Brown, FRSC, is director of the Centre for Rupert's Land Studies and holds a Canada Research Chair in Aboriginal history at the University of Winnipeg.