After explaining in rich detail the traditions of the Ojibwe in Wisconsin, the way they hunted and gathered food, made their clothing and wigwams, celebrated coming of age, played games and made music, she explains the catastrophe for the tribes when the white men came and forced them to change their way of life. They were made to feel like inferior savages, but now (1998) the Hockings are spearheading changes, and Indian traditions are taught in all Wisconsin schools. At least they won't be lost to memory.