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


Apistanewj Stories

*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