Children were taught bravery, patience, and self control from the time
they were born. Sometimes, like everyone, they needed reminders of
good behavior. The Ojibwa had an interesting way of giving reminders. They
used night messages.
At night, when the camp was quiet, grandfather (an old man)
walked around the circle of wigwams. He called out messages. No names
were ever mentioned, and everyone could hear him. His messages were a mix
of announcements, instructions, and warnings.
For example, he might announce that the men would
meet at a certain place to go hunting when the sun came up. Or, he might
say that if a certain young man was still visiting a certain young girl,
it was time to go back to his wigwam. Or, he might say something like
this: "A little boy told a lie to his mother today. If it happens
again, he will be punished. We cannot have little boys telling lies."