Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Winner of the 1989 Canadian Historical Association Regional History Certificate of Merit
Among Anglo-Canadian fur traders of the early 19th century: George Nelson stands out for his interest in the life and ways of the Native people he encountered. His letter-journal gives a more detailed portrayal of Algonquian religion than any other source before the 20th century. It describes the characteristics of individual spirit beings: the use of the "shaking tent" to facilitate communication between humans and spirits: the spirit-guardian relationship: the windigo monster: the significance of dreams: religious aspects of medicine: and myths of animal and human origins.