Orders of the Dreamed George Nelson on Cree and Northern Ojibwa Religion and Myth, 1823 Book

This book is mainly composed from the journals and collected writings of George Nelson during the mid-1800s. As somebody who is Swampy Northern Cree, I was looking for a resource that will help me learn more about traditional Cree world views, ways of life, and belief systems before the onslaught of full Europeanization programs from the Canadian and American governments. While George Nelson himself was a Euro-Canadian, he was probably a lot more sympathetic and understanding towards the Cree and Ojibway. The Native people were his friends and business partners, and you can tell that he legitimately wanted to know their way of life and what they believed. While there are passages where he makes a distinctive dichotomy of 'civilized' European society as opposed to the 'pagan' lifestyle, it is nevertheless an important primary resource for those wanting to know more about the Cree and Ojibway in Manitoba during this time. There is also some much needed academic commentary after the primary texts which provides nuance, criticism, and context to Nelson's letters which is just as valuable as Nelson's letters themselves.