Native Languages of the Americas: Michif/Metis Legends and Traditional Stories
This is our collection of links to Metis 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 Metis, the traditional stories of
related tribes like the Cree and Ojibwe
share many similarities.
Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Metis legend for this page or think one of the ones on here
should be removed, please contact us and let us know.
Since the Metis are primarily of mixed French, Cree and Ojibway origins, it is not surprising that their folklore contains many traditional
stories and mythological figures from all three of these traditions.
Here are some common characters from Metis stories:
˜Nenabush, Wisakechak or
Ti-Jean. These are benevolent trickster/transformer figures that have largely merged together in traditional Metis
folktales. Nenabush is the Michif pronunciation of the Ojibway hero Nanabozho and is the most common name given to the Metis hero;
Wisakechak is a traditional Cree trickster; and Ti-Jean is a Michif pronunciation of the French Canadian folk hero Petit Jean ("Little John.")
Although the original Petit Jean is quite different in character from the two Algonquian heroes Nanabozho and Wisakechak, Metis storytellers tend
to use the three characters interchangeably, and the same story can be heard ascribed to any of these three trickster figures. Nenabush is pronounced
similar to nay-nah-boosh, Wisakechak is pronounced similar to wee-sah-kay-chock (and is often called "Whiskey-Jack" by English speaking Metis
people), and Ti-Jean is pronounced tee-zhawn.
˜Rugaru (also spelled Rougarou.) This is a Michif
pronunciation of the French phrase "loup garou," werewolf. Some stories about Rugaru come from French werewolf legends, some are
adaptations of Algonquian Wendigo/Witiko legends about man-eating ice monsters, and some are combinations of the two. In most Rugaru
stories a Metis person is turned into a Rugaru by catching sight of another Rugaru, not being bitten by one (as in French werewolf legends) or
committing sins of cannibalism or greed (as in Algonquian Windigo legends.)
Native cultures
Michif & Metis Stories and Legends:
How I'le a la Crosse Got Its Name
