In some traditions, humans that are overpowered by hunger and greed can turn 
into wendigos; the myth thus served as a methord of encouraging cooperation 
and moderation. Other sources say wendigos were created when a human resorted
to cannibalism to survive. Humans could also turn to wendigos by being in contact 
with them for too long.

Among the Assinibione, the Cree, and the Ojibwe, a satrical ceremonial dance is
sometimes performed during times of famine to reinforce the seriousness of the
wendigo taboo. The ceremony known as wiindigookaanzhimowin, was performed during
times of famine and involved wearing masks and dancing backward around a drum.
The last knwon wendigo ceremony conducted in the United States was at Lake 
Windigo of Star island of Cass Lake, located within the Leech Lake Indian
Reservation in northern Minnesota. Date has not been verified.