Visions of the great mystery: Grounding the Algonquian manitow concept

Clinton N. Westman; Tara L. Joly

doi:10.1177/0037768617713655

Visions of the great mystery: Grounding the Algonquian manitow concept

Clinton N. Westman, Tara L. Joly

University of Saskatchewan

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the Algonquian manitow concept. Manitow is often translated as spirit, god or mythical being, but reflects more complex and culturally grounded ideas about power in animist ontologies. The article suggests that manitow should be translated with care, with attention to a range of meanings. The authors refer primarily to Cree examples from Alberta, Canada, but also take a broader view to consider examples from other Algonquian contexts. Beginning with a discussion of definitions, the article then turns to the concept’s theoretical career. The article provides data on the contemporary dynamics of the manitow in the context of Cree religious pluralism, as well as on the emplacement of manitow relations through toponymy, particularly as seen around lakes named manitow sâkahikan.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	360-375
Number of pages	16
Journal	Social Compass
Volume	64
Issue number	3
Early online date	24 Jul 2017
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/0037768617713655
Publication status	Published - 1 Sept 2017

Bibliographical note

Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the inspiration and support of the First Nation and Métis communities who welcomed us for our ethnographic fieldwork, and the many Cree and Métis individuals who taught us, some of whom are named above. We also acknowledge the insightful comments and suggestions of the editors, of two anonymous reviewers and of Professor David Meyer. We have drawn on their comments and suggestions in revising the article.

Funding
This research has been funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the University of Aberdeen/European Research Council (Arctic Domus project), the University of Alberta, the University of Saskatchewan, the Melville Jacobs Research Funds, the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (Northern Scientific Training Program).

Keywords

Algonquian
Cree
indigenous
manitow
North America
religious language

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10.1177/0037768617713655Licence: Unspecified

Cite this

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abstract = "This article provides an overview of the Algonquian manitow concept. Manitow is often translated as spirit, god or mythical being, but reflects more complex and culturally grounded ideas about power in animist ontologies. The article suggests that manitow should be translated with care, with attention to a range of meanings. The authors refer primarily to Cree examples from Alberta, Canada, but also take a broader view to consider examples from other Algonquian contexts. Beginning with a discussion of definitions, the article then turns to the concept{\textquoteright}s theoretical career. The article provides data on the contemporary dynamics of the manitow in the context of Cree religious pluralism, as well as on the emplacement of manitow relations through toponymy, particularly as seen around lakes named manitow s{\^a}kahikan.",

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Visions of the great mystery: Grounding the Algonquian manitow concept

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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Cite this