7 1 .2 THE MENOMINI INDIANS [eth.ann.H 



them, but projecting slightly over the tops of the lower ones so as to 

 shed rain. Other mats, pieces of birch bark, and even pieces of canvas, 

 are then placed across the top to shade the interior or to keep out the 

 rain. The mats, a detailed description of which will be given later, 

 are usually a yard wide, and vary from to 12 feet in length. 



The exterior of the medicine wiko'mik erected in 1890 is represented 

 in figure 5. At this ceremony Shu'nien was recognized as chief offici- 

 ating shaman, the application for membership having been first made 

 to him, and he in turn having selected his three chief assistants, all of 

 whom, after due deliberation, decided on the order of ceremony. After 

 the wiko'mik was erected, branches of cedar were placed on the ground 

 around the interior, though near the wall, and on these were placed 

 mats of rush leaves to serve as seats for the attendants. The gifts 

 presented by the candidate, or his sponsor, were suspended from the 

 long poles placed lengthwise a short distance beneath the top center of 

 the arched iuclosure. At various places lanterns also were suspended 

 to furnish light during the night service. The large mat on which 

 the candidate was finally obliged to kneel was spread on the ground 

 about 20 feet from the western exit and along the middle line of the 

 interior, while the space along each side, immediately before the seat 

 mats around the interior, formed the pathway invariably followed by 

 the officiating medicine, men and the attending members of the society 

 (sec plate vi). 



It is customary to hold meetings on Saturday afternoon, beginning 

 at the approach of sunset and continuing uninterruptedly until the next 

 day at sunset. Formerly no special day was selected, but since many 

 of the Indians have become farmers, Sunday is thus employed so that 

 as little time as possible may be lost from their labor. 



By Saturday afternoon, on the occasion described, the vicinity of the 

 mitii'wiko'inik became a scene of great animation. Wagons bearing 

 the families, tents, and cooking utensils of members of the society began 

 to arrive from various directions. The young men and boys caine on 

 horseback, clad in their best and gaudiest attire; children ran hither 

 and thither while chasing one another in play; and the scene was occa- 

 sionally enlivened by a rush toward a particular spot to witness or to 

 stop a dog fight, as numerous and various specimens of gaunt, snarling 

 curs had congregated from all parts of the reservation. 



The members of the society were yet in their hastily erected lodges 

 preparing themselves for public exhibition: but as the sun began to 

 sink, eight of the most prominent members of the society, together with 

 the chief mourner or giver of the feast and his family and relations, 

 proceeded westward to the grave, distant about 200 yards, around 

 which they formed a circle, while Shu'nien stepped nearer toward the 

 head of the grave box, and produced the mii'tshida'qtokwan, or cere- 

 monial baton. This is a round piece of pine or other soft wood, an 

 inch thick and 30 inches long, with one end slightly pointed so as to 



