Midewiwin
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The Midewiwin (also spelled Midewin and Medewiwin) is from the term for the Grand Medicine Society of the aboriginal groups of the Great Lakes region in North America. Its practitioners are called Midew and the practices of Midewiwin referred to as Mide. Tribal groups who have such societies include the Anishinaabe (Ojibwa/Chippewa, Odawa/Ottawa and Potawatomi), the Sioux and the Winnebago. These North American or Turtle Island aboriginals known either as First Nations or as Native Americans passed along birch bark scrolls, teachings, and have degrees of initiations and ceremonies. They are often associated with the Seven Fires Society, and other aboriginal groups or organizations. The Miigis shell, or cowrie shell is used in some ceremonies, along with bundles, sacred items, etc. There are many oral teachings, symbols, stories, history, and wisdom passed along and preserved from one generation to the next by these groups.
Whiteshell Provincial Park is named after the white shell (cowrie) used in Midewiwin ceremonies. This park contains some petroforms that are over 1000 years old, or possibly older, and therefore may predate some aboriginal groups that came later to the area.
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[edit] References
- Densmore, Frances. Chippewa Customs. (1979, Minnesota Historical Press).
- Hoffman, Walter James, M.D. The Mide'wiwin: Grand Medicine Society of the Ojibway. (2005, Lightning Source Inc.)
- Johnston, Basil. Ojibway Ceremonies. (1990, University of Nebraska Press).
