Native Stories

This is Mishipeshu, the underwater panther. It features in a number of Native American stories as a powerful underworld being. The underwater panther is described as being covered in copper scales, having spikes along its back, bison horns and a cat like face resembling a lynx. It can create dangerous whirlpools and waves with its exceptionally long tail and so people travelling in canoes over the Great Lakes would leave offerings of tobacco to help ensure a safe passage. Copper found near the lakes was attributed to being a scale or other part of the underwater panther and was seen as something that could provide power and good luck for the future.

This is a Chenoo, or Ice Giant. Stories tell of people whose hearts have turned to ice, through some wrongdoing. They transform into frozen towering giants, doomed to wander the icy tundra in search of human flesh.

The wonderful thing about many versions of this story is that there is usually a person who comes in contact with them. This person is obviously terrified, but they invite the ice giant into their shelter and offer them food and a place to rest. The ice giant is so moved by the way they’ve been treated that they begin to melt. And they become human again, just by being shown just a little bit of kindness

This is Animkiig, or the Thunderbird, and is an extremely important character in Native American Stories. It is a powerful natural spirit that helped create the universe and lives in the clouds controlling the upper world. The flapping of its massive wings creates rolling thunder and the storms it brings waters the world and allows plants to grow. It is described as having bright and colourful feathers, being able to flash lightning from its eyes, and being so large it could pick up a whale.

The Thunderbird represents power, protection and strength. There are stories about its strong connection to humanity. About protecting people against evil spirits and even turning into one by shedding its feathers like a blanket. But the Thunderbird isn’t just a protector, and should never be angered as it will wield its mighty powers and punish those that break moral rules.