Native American language
American Indian culture
Native American nations
Native American Legends: Nokomis (Nokoma)
Name: Nokomis
Tribal affiliation: Chippewa,
Odawa,
Menominee,
Potawatomi,
Algonquins
Alternate spellings: Nookomis, Nukomis, Nookmis, Nokmis, Nòkomis, Nohkomis, Nohkomaeh, Nohkoma, Nokoma, Nokmes, Nkomis, Nokomos, N'okomiss
Pronunciation: Varies by dialect: noh-koh-miss, noo-koh-miss, or noke-miss
Type: Wise women,
grandmothers
Related figures in other tribes: Grandmother Woodchuck (Abenaki),
Nukumi (Mi'kmaq),
Granny Squannit (Wampanoag),
Skywoman (Iroquois)
Nokomis is the wise old grandmother of the Anishinabe culture hero
Wenabozho,
who raised him. The name nookomis just means "grandmother" in Ojibwe.
Nokomis Stories
Nanabozho, Winona, and Nokomis:
Audio file of a First Nations storyteller narrating the story of Nanabozho and his grandmother Nokomis.
Manabozho's Birth:
Algonquian stories about Nokomis and her daughter, and the birth of her grandson Nanabozho.
The Story of Manabush:
Menominee story about Nokomis finding and raising her grandson.
Origin of Fire and the Canoe:
Menominee stories about Nokomis unsuccessfully trying to keep Nanabozho from fighting monsters.
How Women Were Given Menstruation:
Menominee legend about Nokomis' lover, the Bear, being killed by her grandson.
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links
Ojibway Tales:
A good collection of traditional Ojibway folktales, told by a Native author.
The Mishomis Book: Voice of the Ojibway:
Excellent book by a Native author exploring Ojibway legends and traditions.
Algonquian Spirit:
Excellent anthology of stories, songs, and oral history from the Ojibwe and other Algonquian tribes.
Sponsored Links
Additional Resources
Ojibway mythology
Anishinabe
Chippewa Indians
Menominee Indians
Minnesota Native Americans
Eastern Woodlands culture
Algonquians
Back to Native American Heroines
Back to Native American Legends for Children
Learn more about the Chippewa Indian tribe.
American Indian words
Shawnee Oklahoma
Cherokee rolls
Navajo squash blossom
Native American tattoos
Would you like to help support our organization's work with endangered American Indian languages?
Native Languages of the Americas website © 1998-2020 
Contacts and FAQ page