« The consulting of oracles so as to determine where and when to hunt and to know the future with reference to the weather, illness, and personal matters was extremely important to the Lake St. John Montagnais. It is a subject that has been discussed in considerable detail by Speck (1935, pp. 138-147). A more recent discussion of the subject, with a different interpretation, is found in Tanner (1979, ch. 6). » Vanstone, James W. "The Speck Collection of Montagnais Material Culture from the Lower St. Lawrence Drainage, Quebec." Fieldiana. Anthropology. New Series, No. 5 (October 29, 1982), p.19. « Also associated with respect for a bear's spirit is the removal of an animal's tongue sinew which was taken from the carcass by the killer. To do so was believed not only to placate the bear's spirit, but to be a way of announcing the killing of the animal to the hunter's family without mentioning it by name. » Vanstone, James W. "The Speck Collection of Montagnais Material Culture from the Lower St. Lawrence Drainage, Quebec." Fieldiana. Anthropology. New Series, No. 5 (October 29, 1982), p.20.

Elongated oval shaped tool which curves upwards at both ends. Irregular rough surface on inner face, in white and yellow. Outer face is a layered bone structure, tan and brown, and pitted.