Native Languages of the Americas: Atikamekw Legends and Traditional Stories
This is our collection of links to Atikamekw folktales and traditional stories that can be read online.
We have indexed our Native American folktales 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. In particular, though these legends come from the Atikamekw tribe, the traditional stories of
related tribes like the Innu and Cree are very similar.
Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Atikamekw legend for this page or think one of the ones on here
should be removed, please contact us and let us know.
˜Wisakejak (also spelled Wisaketjak, Wizakejak,
and several other ways.)
Wisakejak is the benevolent culture hero of the Atikamek and Cree tribes (sometimes referred to as a "transformer" by folklorists.)
It is pronounced similar to wee-zuh-kay-jock. Wisakejak shares
some similarities with other Algonquian heroes such as the Wabanaki
Glooskap, Blackfoot
Napi, and Anishinabe
Nanabozho, and many of the same stories
are told in different Algonquian tribes with only the identity of the protagonist differing.
˜Tcikabis (also spelled Chikabis.)
Tcikabis (pronounced chih-kah-biss) is an Atikamekw trickster figure. He is usually getting into trouble, but his magic
powers protect him from harm.
˜Witiko
(also spelled Windigo.) An evil man-eating spirit. Witikos play the roles of monsters and bogeymen in some legends;
in others, Atikamekw people who commit sins (especially selfishness, gluttony, or cannibalism) are turned into a Witiko as punishment.
It is pronounced wih-tih-koh.
Native people
When Tcikabis Trapped The Sun:
Contacts and FAQ page
