The Mide'wiwin or "Grand Medicine Society" of the Ojibwa Seventh Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1885-1886, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1891, pages 143-300

Delving into the world of the Ojibwa’s Grand Medicine Society, this work offers a richly illustrated guide to one of North America’s most enduring tribal traditions. Detailed plates place photographs of sacred objects, ceremonial garters, and intricate facial decorations side by side with the accompanying scholarly commentary, while maps trace the historic spread of Ojibwa communities across the Great Lakes region. The careful layout lets listeners visualize the landscape of pine‑filled forests, countless lakes, and the reservation boundaries that shaped daily life.

Beyond the visuals, the book explores the society’s oral heritage, presenting mnemonic songs, ritual chants, and the symbolism behind ceremonial drums, rattles, and healing practices. Readers gain insight into the roles of medicine men, the transmission of knowledge through birch‑bark records, and the ways the community’s totemic organization persists despite external pressures. Together, these elements paint a vivid portrait of a living culture, inviting listeners to appreciate the depth and resilience of Ojibwa spirituality.