Native Languages of the Americas: Innu Legends and Traditional Stories
This is our collection of links to Innu 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 Innu tribe, the traditional stories of
related tribes like the Cree are very similar.
Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Innu legend for this page or think one of the ones on here
should be removed, please contact us and let us know.
˜Tshakapesh (also spelled Chakapesh or Chakapish.)
Tshakapesh (pronounced chuh-kah-pesh) is an Innu folk hero, often referred to as the Man in the Moon in English.
In some stories Tshakapesh acts in a rash or foolish way, but he is always brave and good-hearted and never stays in trouble for long.
˜Witiko
(also spelled Uitiko or Windigo.) An evil man-eating spirit. Witikos play the roles of monsters and bogeymen in some legends;
in others, Innu people who commit sins (especially selfishness, gluttony, or cannibalism) are turned into a Witiko as punishment.
It is pronounced wee-tee-koh.
˜Kuekuatsheu
(also spelled Kwekwatshew or Carcajou.) This is Wolverine, a conniving sort of character who lies, cheats, is greedy, and basically acts completely
inappropriately by Innu standards-- usually in the funniest possible way. Unlike Wolverine characters in some Algonquian mythologies, Kuekuatsheu
is not malevolent, violent, or dangerous, and stories about him are usually humorous in nature.
˜Kanipinikassikueu
(also spelled Kanipinikassikwew.) In English, his name is translated Caribou Master or Caribou Man. In fact, there are many of these
Animal Master characters in Innu mythology (Toad Master, Porcupine Master, Bear Master, etc.), but Caribou Master is the most powerful and the
one who figures in legends most often.
Innu Animal Masters:
Information and folklore about the Innu animal spirits.
Mashkussuts:
Innu legend about two bear cubs escaping from a cannibal monster.
Maminteu:
Story about an Innu band menaced by a group of man-eating monsters.
Toad Master Takes A Wife:
A Montagnais legend about Anikunapeu, the Toad Man.
The Lynx Who Ate Himself:
Humorous story about an Innu woman who tricks a greedy lynx.
Tshakapesh and the Elephant Monster:
Innu myth about the birth and first adventure of the culture hero Tshakapesh.
Spirit Mountain at Muskrat Falls:
Two stories about an evil ice-breaking creature called Uentshukumishiteu.
A Fish Story:
Innu legend about a boy captured by the fish people.
Native American cultures
Innu Animal Masters:
Contacts and FAQ page
