The spirit lives in the mind : Omushkego stories, lives and dreams

Louis Bird has spent the last three decades documenting Cree oral traditions and sharing his stories with audiences in Canada, the United States, and Europe. In The Spirit Lives in the Mind the renowned storyteller and historian of the Omushkego shares teachings and stories of the Swampy Cree people that have been passed down from generation to generation as part of a rich oral tradition. Contents Preface Acknowledgments Illustrations Map Introduction 1. WATER, EARTH AND SKIES The Land and the Spirit Mooshawow and Wabagamushusagagan The Shaman and the Narwhal Whisker Rocks and their Stories Places in the Skies Giant Spider and the First People Astronomy Moshegiishik (The Universe) Chakapesh Chakapesh Gets Swallowed by a Fish Chakapesh Snares the Sun Chakapesh in the Moon Mysteries in the Sky 2. INTRUDERS AND DEFENDERS Encounters on Mooshawow Ostigwan Nowakow (The Place of Skulls) A Mitew Attack with a Lightning Gun Ships, Mysterious and Real 3. PAKAASKOKAN, AN ANCIENT LEGEND AND MYSTERY 4. VALUES FOR LIFE AND SURVIVAL Dreams and Gifts Christianity and Our Ways: Fear and Denial Conversions to Christianity Life after Death The Power of the Orphan – a Resurrection Story Healing and Faith A Mitew Healer Omushkego Individualism Condemnation by Christianity 5. RELATION WITH ANIMALS Animal Powers Caribou Awareness Caribou Messages Code of Ethics: Dreams, Gifts, and Knowledge Sinning Against Animals Respect and Thanks for Animals Violations and Consequences: The Hunters and the White Fox 6. MITEWIWIN HEROES AND VILLIANS Mitewiwin: The Power of Dreams and the Mind Science and Mystery Dream Helpers Becoming a Mitew Dreaming the Elements Mind Power through Dreams Seasons and Places to Dream Mitew Fasting and Self-Discipline Healing Animals and Power Mitew Competitions Defence and Warfare: Mitew Powers and Their Limitations Mitew Duels and Insults Protection through Non-Belief Stories of Powerful Mitewak Enduring Practice and Belief Mitew Magical Travel – Not So Long Ago Mitew or Christian, One or the Other? 7. WIHTIGOS AND CANNIBAL HEARTS Becoming a Wihtigo Burning Wihtigos Anway and the Cannibals The Mitew and the Cannibal Hearts Ice Hearts Ketastotinewan 8. WOMEN AND MEN Women Our Grandmothers’ Powers Wilderness Woman Morning Star, a Love Story, and the Spread of the Cree Language Wife of Ketastotinewan A Woman, Her Dream Father, and a Wihtigo Duel Wihtigo, or the Consequences of Not Listening Story of a Woman Helping a Captive Man Story of a Captive Woman Conquering her Guard 9. PERSONAGES The Defeat of the Giant Skunk The Legless Man and the Boys Who Disobeyed John Sakeny and Bernard Gull Amoe and Sheweephan 10. WISAKAYCHAK Wisakaychak the Rock Mover Wisakaychak and the Woman Who Played Dead Wisakaychak Pursues Women Wisakaychak Tricks the Birds Wisakaychak Cooks His Geese and Loses Them Wisakaychak Tricks a Bear and Loses His Feast Wisakaychak Goes West and Grants Two Wishes Appendix: Recordings by Louis Bird Notes Suggested Readings Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W Y "In The Spirit Lives in the Mind the renowned storyteller and historian of the Omushkego shares teachings and stories of the Swampy Cree [Winisk Northern Ontario region] people that have been passed down from generation to generation as part of a rich oral tradition. Cree spiritual beliefs revolve around the sacred places and rich landscape of the Hudson Bay lowlands. [James Bay region also.] The beautiful narratives in The Spirit Lives in the Mind illuminate the meaning and value of spiritual maturity and power, the parallels between Omushkego morality and Roman Catholic teachings, and the importance of maintaining the traditional stories. Bird also offers explanations of shamanism and demonstrates how Catholicism affected Cree tradition. Bird collaborated with Susan Elaine Gray, who worked from many years of learning about and teaching Aboriginal culture and traditions in compiling his narratives and personal testament for The Spirit Lives in the Mind. It is a remarkable evocation of aboriginal storytelling about the Cree peoples, their landscape, and their places in the sky."--Pub. website