History of the Ojibway People (Borealis Books Reprint) [Paperback]

William Warren (Author)

Book Description

Series: Borealis Books Reprint | Publication Date: May 1, 1984

During the early period of white settlement, William Warren-the son of a white man and an Ojibway woman-recorded the oral traditions of the Ojibway Indians of the Upper Mississippi and Lake Superior regions. His vivid descriptions include Ojibway customs, family life, totemic system, hunting methods, and relations with other tribal groups and with the whites. First published in 1885.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Warren's skill and W. Roger Buffalohead's able introduction call us to read, or to reread, this classic history." -- Minnesota History

Product Details

• Paperback: 423 pages
• Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society Press; Reprint edition (May 1, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087351162X
• ISBN-13: 978-0873511629
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #880,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "primary" historical text on early Ojibway History, April 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: History of the Ojibway People (Borealis Books Reprint) (Paperback)

This book (which I have not read in entirerty) is probably the first history book written about the Ojibway. Most importantly and interestingly, the author was half Ojibway and half French and was intimate with many of the Ojibway elders he interviews. The authors biography is worthwhile in its own right. I cannot recommend a better book to gain a first hand perspective on colonial Ojibway customs, politics, culture, and the like. While the author (though Indian himself) does deplore Indian's lack of civilization, that really only adds to the book by revealing western society's rascist attitudes to the Indians. The author has been educated and christianized and his rascism is in respect to these institutions. In most other regards he has great respect for his Ojibway family.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ojibwa history by one of their own, September 15, 2000

By 

KENNETH W. LALLY (Lockport, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: History of the Ojibway People (Borealis Books Reprint) (Paperback)

An excellent book covering the history of the Ojibwas primarily in the Northern Wisconsin/Minnesota area. William Warren did a fine job of badgering the tribal elders till he received the information he sought. Written in the 1880's, Warren writes of the different clans and their interactions, the introduction to the white men they liked (French) and hated (British), and the constant warring with other tribes (mostly Sioux) over prime hunting lands which took the lives of many. According to Warren, "Ojibwa" means "to roast until puckered", needless to say, he's not talking about dinner. If just one book on the Ojibwas is in your plans, this should be the one. I myself would prefer to read a book written by someone who actually talked to these tribal elders over 100 years ago, not someone who attempts to do so nowadays, generations (and clouded memories) later.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History of my ancestors!, November 2, 2006

By 

Donna M. Devoto (Tracy, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: History of the Ojibway People (Borealis Books Reprint) (Paperback)

I found this book to be most facinating, and helped me to gain some knowledge of how my ancestors lived. Four generations of my relatives were born into the L'Anse Band of Chippewa and Lac Vieux Desert Band of Indians, but I had no history of how they lived. This book helped me have some insight on their lives and their parents lives. I have given each of my children a copy of this book so that they too can have some knowledge of what their native american relatives lives were like. A most interesting read!!