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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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