Traditional medicine at an Indian reserve

The medicine man of early contact times was the principal spiritual authority in Northern Great Lakes Indian communities. Because present day medicine people must share their authority with representatives of other community groups of an official nature, their power has diminished and they have attempted to adapt to this loss by altering their curing practices. Today's medicine man has increased the authority and effectiveness of his role with a semi-official religious affiliation and has incorporated quasi-religious rituals into his curing practices. In an attempt to maintain a viable role in a changing environment, elements derived from alternative curing systems have also been added.; The study examines the current role of a traditional Indian medicine man from the Northern Great Lakes region. The research data was obtained from interviews with such an individual who is a resident of Wikwemikong Reserve on Manitoulin Island.