Every Cree fears the medical or conjuring powers of his neighbour; but at the same time exalts his own attainments to the skies.

"I am God-like," is a common expression amongst them, and they prove their divinity-ship by eating live coals, and by various tricks of a similar nature.

A medicine bag is an indispensable part of a hunter's equipment.

It is generally furnished with a little bit of indigo, blue vitriol, vermilion, or some other showy article; and is, when in the hands of a noted conjurer, such an object of terror to the rest of the tribe, that its possessor is enabled to fatten at his ease upon the labours of his deluded countrymen.
A fellow of this description came to Cumberland House in the winter of 1819.

Notwithstanding the then miserable state of the Indians, the rapacity of this wretch had been preying upon their necessities, and a poor hunter was actually at the moment pining away under the influence of his threats.