Missionaries taught the Ojibwe to sing hymns translated into their language, both as a means of worship and to eradicate their "Indianness". This study examines how a native American people has drawn on the resources of ritual to negotiate identity and survival within the structures of colonialism.

"[A] deeply researched, intelligent, and clear-eyed explication of an important facet of Indian history and contemporary life."--The Journal of American History Ojibwe Singers is a fine book, both empirically grounded and theoretically sophisticated. It has considerable promise for guiding scholars as they look increasingly at the varieties of native Christianity in North America."--Church History "Contains both scholarly rigor and passionate empathy. McNally's analysis of native texts and his unique fieldwork afford solid contributions that will extend the edges of developing scholarship."--Anglican and Episcopal History "[A] deeply researched, intelligent, and clear-eyed explication of an important facet of Indian history and contemporary life."--The Journal of American History "As a field, Native American history has not benefited from much critical theoretical attention. McNally's effort to view Ojibwe hymn singing as the legitimate subject of theoretical analysis is thus a very welcome and thought-provoking contribution."--American Historical Review "This book presents a fascinating study of the role of hymn singing in Ojibwe culture. It is guided by rigorous scholarly attention to detail and the author's personal appreciation for the Ojibwe life."--Robert Slocum, Lecturer in Theology, Marquette University Ojibwe Singers is a fine book, both empirically grounded and theoretically sophisticated. It has considerable promise for guiding scholars as they look increasingly at the varieties of native Christianity in North America."--Church History "Contains both scholarly rigor and passionate empathy. McNally's analysis of native texts and his unique fieldwork afford solid contributions that will extend the edges of developing scholarship."--Anglican and Episcopal History