The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1911-01-07

religious tinge given BY the old man
was incidental to mysteries of the or
der, which he felt the chief was with
holding in his narrative.
ION another layer of the birch
bark continued Mr.. Pequette, "the
old chief showed me crude drawing
of what he called Ma-ma-pua-sue, q
bad spirit, hump-backed and holding
medicine bag. Nearby was what he
pointed out as lodge or dance hall
with Sah-boka-shru, or the spider, as
door keeper at the right of the en-
trance. At the left of the door was a
big snake, with white belly and
brown back. The old man said that
upon entering the lodge the initiates
are told these colors represent differ
ent singing tones. When the Indians
sing they say Where does the crooked
horned snake liver and they answer,
He lives in this lodge. There is also
a steward in the lodge who is supposed
to give out invitations to the medicine
dance. He has large spoon to stir
the kettle.
'In this grand lodge lives Nah-we-
sjki-zhi-quod, the four-eyed god. He
is called just god and looks after the
whole lodge. He has god in each
corner of the universe, and when he
calls they cause the winds to blow.
There are four gods to hold up the cor
ners of the world. If the medicine
man is taught by the snake he knows
the medicine to give to his enemies to
kill them. This is an old form of witch
power, but the chief said it was not
practiced much.
MORE BRIBEs NEEDED.
"At this point the old medicine man
said that he had told me this much be-
cause was his friend. He also inti-
mated that he was a poor man and
that l was rich. Promises of more
clothing caused him to proceed with
the remaining strips of birch bark. He
showed four-eared god, who hears all
that is said, and teaches one not to
talk about neighbors for he records ev-
cry word that is spoken. 1t seemed
rather appropriate for the old chief at
this time to show me two gods gazing
at an object on the ground between
them. He said they look at the sacri-
fee offered, and if it is given in ear
nest they accept.
"Ba-bo-kee-wan, the underground
god, teaches the Indians bad things,
and shows them how to get their poi
sons from Mah-ji-ge-na-big, the evil
serpent. Mah-qua was again shown in
conference with the wolf-god, Mich-yi-
gon. These two got medicine out of a
bag, containing all kinds of medicine
for the cure of all sorts of sickness.
The wolf learned his medicine lore
from Mah-qua and now gives it to all
who ask in earnest for it when they
are sick. Mah-qua has the power of
making himself transparent and thus
he passes through any part of the
country unseen. When the medicine
man wants to move about without be-
ing seen he puts on the skin of wolf.
1t is said that light shines from his
skin now and then as he goes along.
There are four Aah-quas, but only one
chief Mah-qua, the chief explained.
STILL HAS BELIEVERS.
'It is among people Of this kind that
try to teach the Christian religion.
Of course the medicine, man still has
those who believe in him., but the
younger Indians know little of him, for
the younger ones are being taught real
religion. have Sunday school class
of about forty and never fail to tell
even the oldest Indians the story Of
Christ.
"As the old chief told me, Mah-qua
is the principal god. He also takes
care of the dead. He directs them
that they may take the right road to
the happy hunting ground. The Indi-
ans claim that by the aid Of Mah-qua,
in spirit, they visit the dead as in a
dream"
Here follows an interview between
the missionary and the medicine man,
verbatim, as translated BIS the mission
ary:
Missionary "What is the teaching
of the medicine bag as to the truth :?
Does it teach, as to kindness in family
and all 2"
Chief-''This runs in degrees, first is
inanimation, the second is to tell the
truth. If person does not live q
truthful life he breaks the bylaws Of
the lodge and does not prosper. 60
to hear the word of God for this rea-
son."
Missionary What does your reli-
! gion teach as to kindness to all. even
/ to the evil? What if man should
burn your wigwam?"
! Chief IF any man shall do this he
shall be punished by bad medicine
against him. or bewitch him."
! Miasionarv-- seThe RELIGION of Jesus