The Autobiography of a Winnebago Indian (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Excerpt from The Autobiography of a Winnebago Indian

Such an autobiography was Obtained by the author from a Winnebago Indian and published in volume XXVI of the Journal of American folk-lore in 1913. The reception given this first auto biography led to further effort in this direction, the aim being, not to Obtain autobiographical details about some definite personage, but to have some representative middle-aged individual of moderate ability describe his life in relation to the social group in which he had grown up. A series of fortunate circumstances enabled the author to secure a rather lengthy autobiography from a member of a very prominent Winnebago family. This is the account here published. The Indian in question was a brother of the Winnebago who had written the earlier autobiography referred to above. The writer is referred to throughout the notes as S. B. No attempt of any kind was made to influence him in the selection of the particular facts of his life which he chose to present. SO far as could be ascertained the Indian wrote the autobiography in two consecutive sessions in a syllabary now commonly used among the Winnebago. The translation was made by the author on the basis of a rendition from his interpreter, Mr. Oliver Lamere, of Winnebago, Nebraska.

The autobiography proper closes with Part I. Part II embodies the system of instruction used among the Winnebago and forms a unit by itself. The Indian regarded it as part of his autobiography inas much as it represents what he remembered to have heard from his father when he was a young boy.

The various headings have been added by the author. All explana tory matter is included in the notes.

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