Legendary Native American Figures: Nishanu (Nesaru)

Name: Nishanu
Tribal affiliation: Arikara
Alternate spellings: Neshanu, Neeshaanu, Nesaru, Neshanu Natchitak
Pronunciation: neh-shah-noo
Type: Creator, high god

Nishanu is the Arikara name for the Great Spirit or God. Literally, "Neshanu Natchitak" means "the Chief Above." He is usually just called Nishanu ("Chief" or "Lord"), which is still used as the Arikara word for God today.

Nishanu Stories

How Corn Came To The Earth:
Arikara legend about Nesaru and the creation of Corn.
http://www.bigorrin.org/archive31.htm ">Arikara Creation Myth
A shorter version of the Arikara creation story.

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
Arikara pronunciation
North Dakota tribes
Plains Indian tribe list
Caddoan language group

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