"An Indian Author!! If he should immortalize himself by his writings, the literary world will be puzzled to pronounce his name 'Kah-ge-ga-gah-bowh!'...What a jaw breaker! It is worse than Spanish. Yet the bearer of this euphonious name has written a very credible book, and a very interesting one too..."
Kah-ge-ga-gah-bowh's (George Copway) first book review.
"The Mishomis Book: The Voice of the Ojibway," by Edward Benton-Banai. Edward Benton achieved a long-standing ambition to set down the oral history of the Ojibway Nation with the publication of The Mishomis Book, which is a representation of the life he lived as a youth within the family circle. He was very fortunate to have the companionship of tribal elders who possessed the memories and inherent wisdom of the Ojibway Nation and who carefully treasured and preserved these ancient traditions upon which this book is based. The major intent of this book is to provide readers an accurate and undistorted account of the culture, history and philosophy of the Ojibway Nation so that people of all nations can also benefit from these teachings which have endured from antiquity.
Contact Indian Country Communications, Inc.
Rte. 2, Box 2900-A
Hayward, WI 54843
(715) 634-5226
"The Manitous," by Basil Johnston. A spellbinding collection of the legends and spiritual teachings of the Ojibway people, taken from the ancient oral tradition and recorded here by the esteemed Ojibway author Basil Jonhston. The Manitous is a journey to the core of Ojibway heritage, told through the stories of warriors, lovers, thieves, and spirits and filled with the insight and wisdom of an ancient tribe.
William W. Warren's "History of the Ojibway People", written in 1852 and first published in 1885, is perhaps the most important history of the Ojibway (Chippewa) ever written. Warren, the son of an Ojibway woman and a white man, collected firsthand descriptions and stories from his relatives, tribal leaders, and acquaintances. He transcribed this oral history in terms that 19th century whites could understand, focusing on warfare, tribal organization, and political leaders. Interspersed among his vivid descriptions of memorable battles is a wealth of information on the Ojibway people's customs, family life, totemic system, hunting methods, fur trade, and relations with other tribal groups and with whites. Published by The Minnesota Historical Society Press, St. Paul, MN. ISBN 0-87351-162-X
"Night Flying Woman: An Ojibway Narrative," by Ignatia Broker.
"My Grandchildren," begins the contemporary narrator, "the Ojibway tales teach a philosophy for living. They tell of the purity of man and nature and keeping them in balance." Keeping life in balance was a major challenge for Minnesota's Ojibway people in the nineteenth century. White settlers overran their lands and did all they could to "civilize" the Ojibway-to make them forget their history and traditions. With the art of a practiced storyteller, Ignatia Broker recounts the life of her great-great-grandmother, Ni-bo-wi-se-gwe- Night Flying Woman, or Oona, as she was called- who lived during this chaotic time. Although her family was removed to White earth Reservation, Oona continued to absorb "the old ways" while being forced to learn the new. This is a story of enormous change, of uprootings, and of loss. But it is also tells of great strength and continuity. Ignatia Broker, who died in 1987, was a storyteller and teacher in the Ojibway tradition. Long associated with the Upper Midwest American Indian Center in Minneapolis, she was also a founder of the Minnesota Indian Historical Society. Her other publications include filmstrips, booklets and teacher guides for the Minneapolis Public Schools and the Indian Education Program at Cass Lake, Minnesota. In 1984 Broker received a Wonder Woman Foundation award honoring her as a woman striving for peace and equality. ISBN 0-87351-167-0
"Kitchi-Gami: Life Among the Lake Superior Ojibway," by Johann Kohl is a fascinating study of the Ojibway people. Kohl's gentle humor and candor, and his respect for the Ojibway people anticipate later developments in American ethnology and make his writing especially appealing to the modern reader.
ISBN 0-87351-172-7
"Why The Beaver Has a Broad Tail," by Mary Lou Fox. This children's story is written both in English and Ojibway and illustrated with line drawings.
ISBN 0-88954-049-7
"Kipawa: Portrait of a People," by Kermot A. Moore. This book tells the history of a Quebec Native community by a Metis/Ojibway author. The book displays period photos and maps.
ISBN 0-88954-243-0
"Nanabush and the Dancing Ducks," by Daphne "Odjig" Beavon. This is an authentic legend retold, with illustrations by Ojibway artist Daphne Odjig.
ISBN 0-88954-388-7
"Nanabush and the Spirit of Winter," by Daphne "Odjig" Beavon. The legends of Nanabush are delightful for children of all ages, and the stories are timeless. Illustrations by Daphne Odjig (Ojibway).
ISBN 0-88954-328-3
"Grandmother, Tell Me a Story" (Nokomis O Dibajamonwin), by Edwin Higgins. A collection of the legends, customs and beliefs of the Ojibway People of Canada. This book will make a wonderful bedtime story for children while passing down the history of the Ojibway people using the Oral Tradition.
"Tales of Nokomis" by Petronella Johnson with illustrations by Ojibway Artist Francis Kagige of Manitoulin Island First Nation, Canada.
"The Ojibwa of Southern Ontario" Peter S. Schmalz: University of Toronto Press (1991)
"The Ojibwa of Western Canada: 1780-1870," by Laura Peers: Minnesota Historical Society Press (1994).
"Wild Rice and the Ojibway People," by Thomas Vennum, JR.: Minnesota Historical Society Press (1987).
"Chippewa Child Life: And its Cultural Background," by M. Inez Hilger: Minnesota Historical Society Press (1951).
"Portage Lake: Memories of an Ojibwe Childhood," John D. Nichols and Maude Kegg. University of Minnesota Press (1991).
"The Island of the Anishnaabeg," by Theresa S. Smith: University of Idaho Press (1995).
"A Face in the Rock: The Tale of a Grand Island Chippewa," by Loren R. Graham: Island Press/Shearwater Books (1995).
"Walking the Rez Road," by Jim Northrup.
"The People Named the Chippewa: Narrative Histories," by Gerald Vizenor: University of Minnesota Press (1984).
"Summer in the Spring: Anishinaabe lyric poems and Stories," by Gerald Vizenor: University of Oklahoma Press (1965).
"Chippewa Customs," by Frances Densmore: Minnesota Historical Society Press (1929).
"Indian School Days," by Basil Johnston: University of Oklahoma Press (1988).
"Ojibway Heritage," by Basil Johnston: University of Nebraska Press (1976).
"Ojibway Tales," by Basil Johnston: Bison Books (1993).
"Ojibway Ceremonies," by Basil Johnston: University of Nebraska Press (1992).
"When Beaver Was Very Great: Stories to Live By," by Ojibwe Storyteller Anne M. Dunn: Midwest Traditions, Inc. (1995).
"The Star Maiden: An Ojibway Tale," retold by Barbara Juster Esbensen: Little Brown & Co. (1988)
"Peboan and Seegwun," by Charles Larry: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, New York (1993).
"Dreamcatcher," by Audrey Osofsky: Orchard Books, New York (1992).
More to Come Soon
Ojibway Dreamcatcher
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