SONGS OF THE CHIPPEWA AT WABA'CiNG VIL- 

 LAGE, RED LAKE RESERVATION 



The songs comprised in this group were recorded at the Chippewa 

 village on Red Lake, in northern Minnesota, called by the Indians 

 Waba'cmg ("where the wind blows from both sides"), and known 

 among the white people as "Cross Lake Settlement," a convenient 

 designation, as the village lies across the lake from the Agency. The 

 Indian title is derived from the location of the village on a point of 

 land which divides the upper and lower sections of Red Lake. (PI. 42.) 

 This point is narrow and several mUes in length, so the village is fully 

 exposed to the winds. Twelve miles of open water separate it from 

 Red Lake Agency in summer and the means of transportation are 

 limited. In winter the village is somewhat more accessible, as the 

 ice forms a highway. 



These songs were recorded during a gathering of Indians for the 

 celebration of the Fourth of July, 1910. (PI. 43.) All the singers 

 live near the village of Waba'cmg, except one, a Canadian Chippewa 

 from the Rainy River country, who was campmg on the upper lake 

 and came to attend the celebration. These Indians seldom hear the 

 music of the white race and may be considered comparatively free 

 from its influence, a feature which adds interest to the analysis of the 

 songs. 



The Indians at Waba'cing are estimated at about 350 in number. 

 They are acknowledged to be above the average in character and 

 intelligence. Most of them are full-blood Chippewa. The first 

 encroachment of civilization occurred in 1901 when the Government 

 established a day school at the settlement. The Indians opposed this 

 to the full extent of their power. To-day they are tractable and con- 

 tented and are interested in keeping their children at school. Some 

 of the younger men work in the logging camps during the winter. 



Most of the Indians at Waba'ciiig are members of the Mide'wiwin, 

 and its rites are closely observed. The writer saw two women 

 tending a fire at the head of a newly made grave. According to the 

 teaching of the Mide', this fire must be kept burning four nights. 

 Near this was the grave of a little child, with only the embers of the 

 fire remaining. On the grave was a crude rattle which the little one 

 had loved, and beside it was a paper bag containing food. 



The dancing of the Waba'cing Chippewa was characterized by 

 freedom and individuality, the best dancers using the muscles of the 



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