🧚 Ojibwa Myths and Tales.

By COL. G. E. LAIDLAW.1

This series was obtained from Peter York this summer of 1915, when camped here with his family of basket makers, and also after his return to the Rama Reserve where he lives.2 This reserve is to the east of Lake Couchiching in Ontario County in Ontario Province.3 The tales told by John York were told in Ojibwa to Peter York and were written down in English by Peter York, who can read and write English.4 I have followed York’s phraseology in the stories as closely as possible, using his terms, such as “went to work,” etc., and not changing his meaning in any sense.5 Some of these stories may appear crude, and others rather indefinite, but I have in no way altered them, preferring to leave them as they are.6

John York is an old man of 96 years and his Indian name is “Kitche-Penascie” or “Big Thunder.”7 Peter York is 48 years old and his Indian name is “Penascie” or “Thunder.”8 Both names, according to Peter, are “hard” names.9 York frequently visits this section which is only a score of miles from the Reserve.10

Nanabush is one of the variants of Nenebojo, others being Nanabozho and Nenebuc.11 This personage while being human possesses certain supernatural powers, one of them being, that whoever or whatever he addressed had to answer him.12 Nanabush seems to have been a joker and a scapegoat at times, and is reputed to be alive yet.13 York remarked upon one occasion that Nanabush “was a sort of god” and addresses him as Mr. Nanabush.14 This band of Ojibwas did not know where or when Nanabush was born, or the circumstances of his birth.15 Perhaps some of the older Indians on the Reserve might know.16 Inquiries will be made in the future.17

York’s ending to the stories is “This ends this story.”18 And his use of the words “great big” means a giant such as “a great big man,” a giant.19 “A great big beaver,” a giant beaver, etc.20

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