Basil H. Johnston was a Canadian writer, storyteller, and scholar dedicated to preserving the Ojibwe language and culture. His work centers on a profound understanding and narration of stories, bringing to life the traditions and spirituality of his people. Johnston's literary approach involved the careful transmission of oral tradition and language, offering readers insight into the rich world of Indigenous tribes. His writing stands as a valuable contribution to cultural heritage preservation and the understanding of Indigenous North American cultures.
Basil Johnston's work on the Anishinaubae language highlights its unique beauty, rhythm, and depth. Recognizing the lack of beginner resources in the late 1960s, he created a comprehensive language course and lexicon. This book expands upon his earlier efforts, providing essential materials for learners and preserving the richness of the Anishinaubae language for future generations.
Exploring the profound connection between Indigenous people and the land, this book emphasizes the earth's sacredness as a creation of the Great Mystery. It highlights the land as a dwelling for spirits and a repository of ancestral wisdom, urging readers to cultivate reverence and affection for nature. The narrative invites a deeper understanding of the mysteries and revelations that the earth offers to those who are attentive and respectful, aiming to restore a sense of harmony with the natural world.
This collection explores the legends and spiritual teachings of the Ojibway, focusing on the manitous, mystical beings that embody divine forces integral to their spiritual life. Through these narratives, readers gain insight into the cultural significance and the rich spiritual heritage of the Ojibway people, revealing the profound connections between nature, spirituality, and the mystical realm.
Rarely accessible to the general public, Ojibway mythology is as rich in meaning, as broad, as deep, and as innately appealing as the mythologies of Greece, Rome, and other Western civilizations. In Ojibway Heritage Basil Johnston introduces his people's ceremonies, rituals, songs, dances, prayers, arid legends. Conveying the sense of wonder and mystery at the heart of the Ojibway experience, Johnston describes the creation of the universe, followed by that of plants and animals and human beings, and the paths taken by the latter. These stories are to be read, enjoyed, and freely interpreted. Their authorship is perhaps most properly attributed to the tribal storytellers who have carried on the oral tradition that Johnston records and preserves in this book.
Focusing on the lives of his uncle David and grandmother Rosa, the author presents a humorous and heartfelt depiction of life on the reservation. Through engaging storytelling, he captures the unique experiences and cultural nuances of Indigenous life, blending personal anecdotes with broader themes of family and community. The narrative is rich with warmth and insight, making it a memorable exploration of resilience and connection within reservation culture.
Exploring the Anishinaabe worldview, the book presents eight traditional stories that emphasize the importance of balance among the body, soul, spirit, heart, and mind. These narratives, available in both Anishinaabe and English, offer insights into cultural beliefs and values, guiding readers on a meaningful life path. The dual-language format enriches the experience, making the wisdom of the Anishinaabe accessible to a broader audience.
These are the stories of the manitous--the spirits who inhabit the supernatural world of the Ojibway (the Native American tribe of the Great Lakes and central Canada region). Harvested by an eminent expert from an ancient oral tradition, these sacred stories introduce wily tricksters, fearsome giants, timorous tree spirits, seductive maidens, and wise grandmothers. Here, a coward masquerading as a hero becomes one; a powerful warrior is riled and routed by a younger sibling with a gift for dancing and disguises; and the ever-hungry evil weendigos--evil manitous--haunt the land. In spellbinding and hypnotic fashion, the creation and flood legends are told, and the origin stories of corn, spruce, and tobacco are revealed. Comic, erotic, dramatic, and tragic, these engrossing tales are a window into the heart of an ancient culture, an important contribution to Native American literature, and a fascinating source of spiritual guidance for the many followers of New Age mysticism.