Indian languages
American Indian cultures
Find Indian heritage

Native American Legends: Apistanewj (Marten)
Name: Apistanewj
Tribal affiliation: Mi'kmaq
Alternate spellings: Apistanéwj, Apistne'wj, Abistanooj, Abistanooch, Abistanaooch
Pronunciation: ah-bist-ah-nayo-ch
Also known as: Marten
Type: Hero,
marten
Related figures in other tribes: Great Fisher (Anishinabe)
In Mi'kmaq legends, Apistanewj is the best friend and adopted brother of the Wabanaki culture hero
Glooskap. Like many characters from
Mi'kmaq mythology, Apistanewj shifts back and forth between human and animal form-- in his case,
the form of a marten, a type of weasel which was considered sacred by some Mi'kmaq bands.
Sponsored Links
Nukumi and Fire:
The Coming of Nukumi:
The story of how Marten became Glooskap's brother, by sacrificing himself to feed grandmother Nukumi.
The Kidnapping of Glooskap's Family
A Wizard Carries Off Glooscap's Housekeeper
Glooskap and Winpe:
Three versions of a Mi'kmaq legend in which a giant kidnaps Glooskap's adopted brother Marten.
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links
On the Trail of Elder Brother:
Great collection of traditional stories told by a Mi'kmaq author and illustrator.
Giants of the Dawnland:
Another good collection of Wabanaki legends, this one told by a Penobscot Indian author.
Algonquian Spirit:
Excellent anthology of stories, songs, and oral history from the Mi'kmaq and other Algonquian tribes.
Additional Resources
Mi'kmaq legends
Mi'kmaq language
Mi'kmaq dictionary
Wabanaki Confederacy
Nova Scotia Indian
Woodlands
Algonquian languages
Native American animal spirits

Back to Native Indian Characters
Back to Native American Legends
Learn more about the Micmac tribe

American Indian words
Camp Wabanaki
Powhatan village
Mukluk
Native American tattoo history
Would you like to help support our organization's work with endangered American Indian languages?
Native Languages of the Americas website © 1998-2020
Contacts and FAQ page