21. Hunter’s medicine 222 22.

Wâbĕnō´ drum

223 23.

Diagram of Midē´wigân of the second degree

224 24. Midē´ destroying an enemy 238 25.

Diagram of Midē´wigân of the third degree

240 26.

Jĕs´sakkân´, or juggler’s lodge

252 27.

Jĕs´sakkân´, or juggler’s lodge

252 28.

Jĕs´sakkân´, or juggler’s lodge

252 29.

Jĕs´sakkân´, or juggler’s lodge

252 30.

Jĕs´sakkân´, or juggler’s lodge

252 31. Jĕs´sakkīd´ curing woman 255 32. Jĕs´sakkīd´ curing man 255 33.

Diagram of Midē´wigân of the fourth degree

255 34. General view of Midē´wigân 256 35. Indian diagram of ghost lodge 279 36. Leech Lake Midē´ song 295 37. Leech Lake Midē´ song 296 38. Leech Lake Midē´ song 297 39. Leech Lake Midē´ song 297

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Larger Map

Plate II. Ojibwa Indian Reservations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. I Red Lake. II White Earth. III Winnibigoshish. IV Cass Lake. V Leech Lake. VI Deer Creek. VII Bois Forte. VIII Vermillion Lake. IX Fond du Lac. X Mille Lacs. XI Lac Court Oreílle. XII La Pointe. XIII Lac de Flanibeau. XIV Red Cliff. XV Grand Portage.

THE MIDĒ´WIWIN OR “GRAND MEDICINE SOCIETY”
OF THE OJIBWAY.

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By W. J. Hoffman.

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INTRODUCTION.

The Ojibwa is one of the largest tribes of the United States, and it is scattered over a considerable area, from the Province of Ontario, on the east, to the Red River of the North, on the west, and from Manitoba southward through the States of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. This tribe is, strictly speaking, a timber people, and in its westward migration or dispersion has never passed beyond the limit of the timber growth which so remarkably divides the State of Minnesota into two parts possessing distinct physical features. The western portion of this State is a gently undulating prairie which sweeps away to the Rocky Mountains, while the eastern portion is heavily timbered. The dividing line, at or near the meridian of 95° 50' west longitude, extends due north and south, and at a point about 75 miles south of the northern boundary the timber line trends toward the northwest, crossing the State line, 49° north latitude, at about 97° 10' west longitude.

Minnesota contains many thousand lakes of various sizes, some of which are connected by fine water courses, while others are entirely isolated. The wooded country is undulating, the elevated portions being covered chiefly with pine, fir, spruce, and other coniferous trees, and the lowest depressions being occupied by lakes, ponds, or marshes, around which occur the tamarack, willow, and other trees which thrive in moist ground, while the regions between these extremes are covered with oak, poplar, ash, birch, maple, and many other varieties of trees and shrubs.

Wild fowl, game, and fish are still abundant, and until recently have furnished to the Indians the chief source of subsistence.

Tribal organization according to the totemic system is practically broken up, as the Indians are generally located upon or near the several reservations set apart for them by the General Government, where they