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Social Science Native American Studies

Living with Animals

Ojibwe Spirit Powers

by (author) Michael Pomedli

Publisher
University of Toronto Press
Initial publish date
Feb 2014
Category
Native American Studies, Native American, General, North America
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781442647015
    Publish Date
    Feb 2014
    List Price
    $85.00
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781442614796
    Publish Date
    Feb 2014
    List Price
    $52.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442667051
    Publish Date
    Feb 2014
    List Price
    $42.95

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Description

Within nineteenth-century Ojibwe/Chippewa medicine societies, and in communities at large, animals are realities and symbols that demonstrate cultural principles of North American Ojibwe nations. Living with Animals presents over 100 images from oral and written sources – including birch bark scrolls, rock art, stories, games, and dreams – in which animals appear as kindred beings, spirit powers, healers, and protectors.

Michael Pomedli shows that the principles at play in these sources are not merely evidence of cultural values, but also unique standards brought to treaty signings by Ojibwe leaders. In addition, these principles are norms against which North American treaty interpretations should be reframed. The author provides an important foundation for ongoing treaty negotiations, and for what contemporary Ojibwe cultural figures corroborate as ways of leading a good, integrated life.

About the author

Michael Pomedli is an emeritus professor of Philosophy at St Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan.

Michael Pomedli's profile page

Editorial Reviews

‘This engaging and engrossing study focuses on the cultural forms of Native expression in 19th-century Ojibwe medicine societies and communities… Living with Animals offers an impressive amount of meticulous data—including traditional narratives, scrolls, textiles, and petroglyphs.’

Choice vol 52:02:2014

‘An impressive piece of scholarship and it breaks new ground regarding the Midewiwin or Grand Medicine Society… Living with Animals is a welcome resource for students and scholars and I also highly recommend to general readers who have an interest in native spirituality.’

Prairie Messenger July 2, 2014

‘This book makes a unique contribution to the literature on Ojibwe culture by emphasizing the place of animal and spiritual beings in nineteenth-century Ojibwe ontology, behavior and world view.’

The Canadian Journal of Native Studies vol 34:02:2014