Contents

Preface

Part I: Russell Willier, Cree Healer

Chapter One: Willier’s Life as a Healer

Becoming a Medicine Man

Approaching a Healer

My Cosmology

Native Medicine

Collecting Plants

Common Problems Treated

Survival of Native Medicine

Working with Non-Native Doctors

The Future

Chapter Two: Ecological Issues Important to Willier

Clearcut

Fish

Ducks

Moose and Deer

Plants

Fires

Chapter Three: Willier’s Favorite Healing Stories

Near-Death Experiences of Patients

Predicaments in Which Healers Can Find Themselves

Part II: Russell Willier’s Medicine Bundle

Chapter Four: Field Trip, Summer 2011

Chapter Five: Plants Used by Russell Willier

Plants in Willier’s Medicine Bundle

Cleaning and Storing

Part III: The Efficacy of Native Medicine

Teenagers Treated at the Reserve

Personal Experience

The Mouse Woman of Gabriola

Deborah Gray

How Do We Explain Such Results?

Conclusion

Appendix A: Maps of Areas Where Willier Collects His Herbs

Appendix B: Index of Common English Names for the Plants Used by Willier

Appendix C: Index of Cree Names for the Plants Used by Willier

Appendix D: Index of English Names Used by Willier for the Plants He Uses

References

Index

About the Authors