legend

Nokomis and the spider: the story of the dreamcatcher

Picture of Ojibwe dreamcatcher

“I spent over 10 years traveling to Native American pow wows across the United States, visiting a different reservation almost every week. Dreamcatchers were everywhere, from grandmother-made heirlooms to commercial versions sold at gift shops. Understanding the difference matters. This article tells the real story.” — Raven SiJohn, AAANativeArts.com (Est. 1999) The dreamcatcher comes from the Ojibwe people, one of the largest Native American nations in North America, and the story behind it is more beautiful than most people realize.…

Read MoreNokomis and the spider: the story of the dreamcatcher

Native American Vampire Stories

Native /american vampires canvas fine art print

There are no Native American vampire stories that display the distinctive characteristics of European vampires (associated with bats, unable to withstand sunlight, killed by a stake through the heart, casting no shadow or reflection, weaknesses to garlic and running water, or the ability to turn their victims into another vampire by biting them.) There is nothing equivalent to that in traditional Native American folklore. But there are plenty of monsters that do have some similarity with vampires.

Read MoreNative American Vampire Stories

The First Butterflies, an Ojibwe legend

The First Butterflies Ojibwe Legend

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 them. All the animals loved the first human babies and did everything they could do to help them. The dog watched over them. The bear gave his fur to keep them warm. The wolf hunted for them. The doe provided them with milk. The beaver and the muskrat bathed them. The birds sang lullabies to…

Read MoreThe First Butterflies, an Ojibwe legend

Why birds go south in winter

Views: 1970  Ojibwe Legend: Why birds go South in winter Long ago there was only summer. The days were always warm and sunny. Winter and snow were unknown. For the young it was a time of happiness. They played all the time. Animals played with animals. Fish played with fish. Insects played with insects. Birds played with birds. They had many games — hide-and-seek, blind-man’s buff, and tag. They ran races, they wrestled, and they played lacrosse. The lakes, the meadows,…

Read MoreWhy birds go south in winter