Native Languages of the Americas: Nanabozho Stories and other Algonquin Legends
This is our collection of links to Algonquin folktales and traditional stories that can be read online.
We have indexed our Native American legends section
by tribe to make them easier to locate; however, variants on the same
legend are often told by American Indians from different tribes, especially if those tribes are kinfolk or neighbors to
each other, so you may also want to visit our page comparing
the stories from the Anishinaabe tribes (which
include the Chippewa, Ottawa, Potawatomi, and Algonquin Indians), since the traditional stories of those
tribes are very similar.
Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend an Algonquin legend for this page or think one of the ones on here
should be removed, please contact us and let us know.
˜Nanabozho
or Wisakedjak
(also spelled Nanabush, Nanaboozhoo, Wisakejak, and several other ways.)
This is the benevolent culture hero of the Anishinabe tribes (sometimes referred to as a "transformer" by folklorists.)
Nanabozho/Wisakedjak shares some similarities with other Algonquian heroes such as the Wabanaki
Glooscap and Blackfoot
Napi, and many of the same stories
are told in different Algonquian tribes with only the identity of the protagonist differing. Nanabozho is pronounced nah-nah-boh-zhoh in Algonquin,
and Wisakedjak is pronounced wee-sah-kay-jock.
˜Kichi Manido (also spelled
Kichi-Manidò, Kchi Mnido, Kitchi Manitoo, Kitche Manitou, and several other ways.)
This means "Great Spirit" in the Algonquin language, and is the Algonquin name for the Creator (God.) Kichi Manido
is a divine spirit with no human form or attributes (including gender) and is never personified in Cree folklore. The name is pronounced
similar to kih-chee muh-nih-doh.
˜Nokomis (also spelled Nukomis and other ways.)
Nanabozho's wise old grandmother, who raised him. Pronounced noh-koh-miss.
˜Widjigo (also spelled Wiijigoo, Wijigo, Weejigo, Wìdjigò, and other ways.)
An evil man-eating spirit. Widjigos play the roles of monsters and bogeymen in some legends; in others, Algonquin people who commit sins
(especially selfishness, gluttony, or cannibalism) are turned into a Widjigo as punishment. It is pronounced wee-jih-goh in the Algonquin language.
Native Canadian culture
Nanabozho 
Wisakedjak:
