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Legendary Native American Figures: Orenda

Name: Orenda
Tribal affiliation: Iroquois, Huron
Alternate spellings: Iarenda, Olenda
Pronunciation: varies by language and dialect; usually anglicized to oh-ren-dah.
Type: High god
Related figures in other tribes: Wakan Tanka (Sioux), Wakonda (Mandan)

 Orenda is a word that means "spiritual energy" in the Huron (Wyandot) language, and has often been used to refer to gods and spirits in the Iroquois tribes as well. Although any divine spirit could correctly be referred to as Orenda, the name is most commonly used to refer to the Creator or Great Spirit, or, among Christian Iroquois people, to God.

Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends

Skywoman: Legends of the Iroquois:
    A wonderful collection of myths and legends by two Iroquois authors.

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Additional Resources

 People of the Longhouse
 Iroquois Indian legends
 Iroquois languages
 Seneca pronunciation
 Mohawk words
 Mississippi Native Americans
 Woodland Indian tribes
 Muskogean languages



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