The Ojibway aboriginal people in North America used the cowry shells ( which they called sacred Megis Shells or whiteshells ) in Midewiwin ceremonies , and the Whiteshell Provincial Park in Manitoba , Canada is named after this type of shell . The Ojibway aboriginal people in North America used cowry shells which they called sacred Miigis Shells or whiteshells in Midewiwin ceremonies , and the Whiteshell Provincial Park in Manitoba , Canada is named after this type of shell .