One day when the earth was new, Nanabozho looked out the window of his house beside the wide waterfall and realized that all of the flowers in his meadow were exactly the same off-white color. How boring! He decided to make a change, so he gathered up his paints and his paintbrushes and went out to the meadow.
Once there was a spirit-boy named Winabojo who taught the Ojibwa how to live in the natural world. One day Winabojo went searching for feathers for his arrows. He climbed to the highest cliff and discovered a nest of the Thunderbirds and saw their babies. Winabojo turned into a rabbit so the Thunderbirds would bring him to their nest for their babies to play with.
Listen to the dreamcatcher legend in this video.
The Ojibway moved from the Great Salt Lake in the east to their westward locations in the center of America. William Warren (1885) told about the migration by sharing a story that was told during a ceremony he attended. According to Warren, the spiritual leader held a Me-da-wa-me-gis, a small white shell, in his hand as he related the following:
While our forefathers were living on the great salt water toward the rising sun, the great Megis (Sea Shell) showed itself above the surface of the great water, and the rays of the sun for some long periods were reflected from its glossy back. It gave warmth and light to the An-ish-in-aub-ag (red race).
This Ojibway legend tells of the Great Flood and how the sacred Turtle Mountain was formed.
When Ah-ki’ (the Earth) was young, it was said that the Earth had a family. Like in a family, they had responsibilities both spiritually and physically. The Creator of this family is Kitchie Man-i-to’ (Great Mystery or Creator). He is like the great grandfather who has all the knowledge, wisdom and is always there…in a spiritual sense.
Nee-ba-gee’-sis (the Moon) means heavenly being that watches over us while we are sleeping in the spiritual sense, and is referred to as Grandmother because she, like in all families, watches over us while we are sleeping in a physical sense.
Gee’-sis (the Sun) means heavenly being watching us during the day. And is also referred to as Grandfather because he is the one who has the responsibility of watching over us during day. The Earth is said to be a woman and is also referred to as our mother because she gives you life, protects, and nurtures you. In this way it is understood that a woman preceded man on Earth.
KEYWORDS: Nokomis and the spider story of the dreamcatcher dream catcher legend Anishinaabeg legend Anishinaabeg story Ojibwe Ojibwa Ojibway legend ORAL TRADITION: Ojibway legend “A spider was quietly spinning his web in his own space. It was beside the sleeping space of Nokomis, the grandmother. Each day, Nokomis watched the spider at work, quietly spinning […]
KEYWORDS: thunderbird legend ojibwe legend ojibwa legend ojibway legend Anishinaubeg legend Indian legend oral story oral history myth firefly legend limited edition art prints art print Indian art print AUTHOR: Ojibwe Oral Story Thunderbirds are not like other birds. Oh, to be sure, they have feathers-but they are feathers that shine with many, many colors […]
Nanabush was very tired. He had walked all day and could no farther. On the other shore of the bay he stopped to drink and splash water on his face. Then he sat down on a large stone beneath a tree to rest his aching bones. Near the shore on the far side of the […]
KEYWORDS: Ojibwe legend ojibwa legend ojibway legend ojibwe legends Indian legend myth children’s story for kids oral story oral history oral tradition Indian art prints Indian poster limited edition fine art print AUTHOR: Ojibwe Oral Story One day two fishermen were paddling home along the shore when a violent wind came up and blew them […]
KEYWORDS: bat origin story creation of bats bat myth Indian legend ojibwe legends ojibwa legend ojibway legend Indian Oral Story oral story art prints buy Indian art print children’s story for kids AUTHOR: Ojibwa Oral Story Early one morning while he was on his way to his home in the sky, Father Sun got caught […]
KEYWORDS: ojibwe legend ojibwa legends ojibway legend chippewa legends oral story oral tradition Indian legend myth children’s story for kids buy art posters Indian art prints art print AUTHOR: Ojibwe Oral Legend Long ago there was only summer. The days were always warm and sunny. Winter and snow were unknown. For the young it was […]
KEYWORDS: butterfly legend butterflies ojibwe legend ojibwa legend ojibway legend oral story Indian legend myth children’s story for kids buy art prints Salvador Dali art print butterfly print butterfly poster AUTHOR: Ojibway Oral Story Long ago, when human twins were born to Spirit Woman, she relied on the animals to help her take care of […]
KEYWORDS: ojibewe legend ojibwa legends ojibway legend chippewa legend oral story oral tradition Indian story Indian myth children’s story poster posters art print art prints AUTHOR: Ojibwe Oral Story After the earth was made, there were only trees, grasses, and flowers upon it. There were no birds, no animals, no insects. On the whole earth […]
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Source: Ojibway Oral Teaching Boosoo (Hello). My son, wolves were referred to as the guardian of our spirits. Wolves are free spirits even though their packs are very organized. A lone wolf is rarely found in the wild. Wolves are social creatures like you and I. Just as you watch over your sister so does […]