Legendary Native American Figures: Mother Corn (Atna)

Name: Mother Corn
Tribal affiliation: Arikara
Native names: Atina, Atna, Atina'
Pronunciation:ah-tuh-nah
Type: Mother goddess, corn spirit
Related figures in other tribes: First Mother (Wabanaki), Selu (Cherokee), Mandamin (Anishinabe), Unknown Woman (Choctaw)

The Arikara name Atina (or Atna) literally means just "Mother"; the "corn" was added to her name by anthropologists because she was the goddess or spirit of the corn. According to Arikara mythology, Nishanu created the Corn Mother from an ear of corn and she became the protector of the Arikaras, leading them to their homeland and teaching them to farm.

Mother Corn Stories

How Corn Came To The Earth:
Arikara legend about the origin of Mother-Corn.

Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends

Myths and Traditions of the Arikara Indians:
Collection of Arikara legends and oral history.

Additional Resources

Arikara language
North Dakota Native Americans
Plains Indian tribe names
Caddoan language family

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