boffman] MYSTIC BOWLDER 39 



earth, saying, "You shall have everlasting life," whereupon he instantly 

 became a rock. This rock, on account of its flesh like tint, is believed 

 to be the remains of the unfortunate Indian, who has now become a 

 niauido. It is the custom for all passing Indians to deposit at the base 

 of the rock a small quantity of tobacco. 



TRIBAL GOVERNMENT, TOTEMS AND CHIEFS 

 THE LINES OF CHIEFTAINCY 



Since the time of the conspiracy of Poutiac, the Meuomini Indians 

 have figured in history to greater or less extent, and it is from such 

 sources, as well as from tradition, that some knowledge is derived 

 pertaining to the chiefs of the tribe. There appear to be two lines, 

 from both of which there have arisen, from time to time, claimants to 

 the civil chieftainship of this tribe; although the Indians generally 

 admit that the Owa/sse, or Rear, totem is traditionally the oldest, as 

 well as the gens from which the civil chief should be selected. To 

 make intelligible the reasoniug on which the Menomini base their 

 sociologic organization, and the order of precedence and civil govern- 

 ment, the following explanation of the mythic origin of their totems 

 and totemic organization is presented somewhat fully. The myth was 

 obtained from a number of the older and influential chiefs, subchiefs, 

 and nntii'wok, prominent among whom were Nio'pet, Nia'qtowa'pomi, 

 and Mii'tshi Kine'u T . 



ORIGIN OF TOTEMS 



It is admitted that originally there were a greater number of totems 

 among the Menomini than at the present time, but that they gradually 

 became extinct. The tradition relating to some of them is here given, 

 the translation being literal so nearly as possible: 



When the Great Mystery ' made the earth, he created also numerous 

 beings termed mauidos or spirits, giving them the forms of animals 

 and birds. Most of the former were malevolent ana'niaqki'u (" under- 

 ground beings"); the latter consisted of eagles and hawks, known as 

 the Thunderers, chief of which was the Invisible Thunder, though rep- 

 resented by Kine'u T , the Golden Eagle. 



When Mashii' Ma'nido — the Good Mystery — saw that the bear was 

 still an animal, he determined to allow him to change his form. The 

 Bear, still known as Nanoqke, was pleased at what the Good Mystery 

 was going to grant him, and he was made an Indian, though with a 

 light skin. This took place at Mi'nika'ni se'pe (Menomini river), near 

 the spot where its waters empty into Green bay, and at this place also 

 the Bear first came out of the ground. He found himself alone, and 



L Maaha' Ma'nido, or Great Unknown. This term is not to be understood as implying a belief in one 

 supreme being; there are several manidos, each supreme in his own realm, as well as many lesser 

 mysteries, or deities, or spirits. Neither is it to be regarded as implying a definite recognition of spir- 

 ituality corresponding to that of civilized peoples, for the American Indians have not fully risen to 

 the plane of psychotheism j compare the Siouan concept as defined by Horsey, Eleventh Annual 

 "Report, 18'.M, p. 395 ct seq. 



