I found this story in a book by Ella Elizabeth Clark. It is titled "Indian Legends of Canada.
"This summary of the deeds of Nanabozho is made up of details recorded cheifly by travellers and students between 1721 and 1850. "He was sometimes referred to aas "the great light" "the spirit of light" "the great white one". The ethnologist JNB Hewitt, writing in 1912, considered him "the impersonation of life, the active, quickening power of life"
Here is part of the Nanabozho story........
Nanabozho, born on an island at the outlet of Lake Superior, was the first son of a spirit from on high and a woman on the earth. Quickly he grew to manhood. By the time his footsteps were so long that he could easily cross the widest river or lake in one step. He could seize the lightning in his hands, and his voice was like the roar of a great lake in a storm.
Nanabozho could transform himself into any animal or object of nature, and he conversed with all living creatures. After the great flood that once covered the earth, he restored the land and all that lives upon it. Then he created the first Chippewas.
As the mighty ruler of all the earth, Nanabozho controlled the weather and the seasons. He covered the earth with snow in winter and chained all the streams with ice. At his command the terrible storms broke loose from their caves. At his command also, the gentle winds blew, the mountains bacame green and the flowers of spring bloomed everywhere.
Nanabozho did many things for the people he created. He brought his people the first fire, and taught them how to make arrowheads, lances and hatchets. He taught them how to hunt, how to build canoes, how to cultuivate corn and beans and squash for food. He invented the picture writing on rocks and also learned the art of painting a face before battle. He showed the people what herbs to use for medicine. And so the Chippewas, when gathering roots, leave a small offering to Nanabozho beside the spot they found the plants.
All the knowledge which the shamans have concerning the rules and ceremonies of religion, Nanabozho received from the spirit. He built a lodge as directed;and as late as 1887 he was said to be present at the Sacred Medicine Lodge when the Grand Medicine rite was performed.
He lived a 1000 years. According to some story tellers, he was killed in a fierce battle with the Evil One and was buried on the north shore of Lake Superior. According to others, he is buried on Michipicoten Island. Others beleive that he is still alive; when they hear noises inside the mountains, they know that Nanabozho is continuing his creative work.
"Indian Legends of Canada", Ella Elizabeth Clark, McClelland and Stewart Ltd, 1960
(Jesus..is that You?)
"This summary of the deeds of Nanabozho is made up of details recorded cheifly by travellers and students between 1721 and 1850. "He was sometimes referred to aas "the great light" "the spirit of light" "the great white one". The ethnologist JNB Hewitt, writing in 1912, considered him "the impersonation of life, the active, quickening power of life"
Here is part of the Nanabozho story........
Nanabozho, born on an island at the outlet of Lake Superior, was the first son of a spirit from on high and a woman on the earth. Quickly he grew to manhood. By the time his footsteps were so long that he could easily cross the widest river or lake in one step. He could seize the lightning in his hands, and his voice was like the roar of a great lake in a storm.
Nanabozho could transform himself into any animal or object of nature, and he conversed with all living creatures. After the great flood that once covered the earth, he restored the land and all that lives upon it. Then he created the first Chippewas.
As the mighty ruler of all the earth, Nanabozho controlled the weather and the seasons. He covered the earth with snow in winter and chained all the streams with ice. At his command the terrible storms broke loose from their caves. At his command also, the gentle winds blew, the mountains bacame green and the flowers of spring bloomed everywhere.
Nanabozho did many things for the people he created. He brought his people the first fire, and taught them how to make arrowheads, lances and hatchets. He taught them how to hunt, how to build canoes, how to cultuivate corn and beans and squash for food. He invented the picture writing on rocks and also learned the art of painting a face before battle. He showed the people what herbs to use for medicine. And so the Chippewas, when gathering roots, leave a small offering to Nanabozho beside the spot they found the plants.
All the knowledge which the shamans have concerning the rules and ceremonies of religion, Nanabozho received from the spirit. He built a lodge as directed;and as late as 1887 he was said to be present at the Sacred Medicine Lodge when the Grand Medicine rite was performed.
He lived a 1000 years. According to some story tellers, he was killed in a fierce battle with the Evil One and was buried on the north shore of Lake Superior. According to others, he is buried on Michipicoten Island. Others beleive that he is still alive; when they hear noises inside the mountains, they know that Nanabozho is continuing his creative work.
"Indian Legends of Canada", Ella Elizabeth Clark, McClelland and Stewart Ltd, 1960
(Jesus..is that You?)
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