Nenapohs Legends

Nenapohs Legends, Nēnapohs̆ āhtahsōkēwinan is volume 2 in the First Nations Language Reader series published by the University of Regina publications. This volume contains seven accounts that are the traditional teaching stories of Nenapohs, the Saulteaux (Plains Ojibwe) culture hero and trickster. Oral in origin, they have been passed on through generations by the traditional teachers, the Elders. For the first time, they are published and made available in Nahkawewin or Saulteaux, the westernmost dialect of the Ojibwe language. Each story is illustrated and is presented in both Standard Roman Orthography and syllabics, with English translation. The book also includes a pronunciation guide and a Saulteaux-to-English glossary. Saulteaux linguist Margaret Cote was the first person in Saskatchewan to teach a First Nations language in a public school. The stories are: When the Earth was Flooded and How Nenapohs Recreated it (told by Andrew Bruce Keewatin); the Time Nenapohs was a Wolf (told by Andrew Bruce Keewatin); Nenapohs and the Owl (told by John F. Cote); Nenapohs and the Geese (told by Margaret Cote); Nenapohs and the Shut-eye Dancing Ducks (told by John Cote); Nenapohs Makes Red Willows (told by John Cote); and Nenapohs Discovers Dried Meat (told by John Cote). This bilingual (Saulteaux/English) reader is a valuable language resource for Saulteaux. The seven stories are well written and are ideal for junior and intermediate level students. Black and white drawings by Denny Morrison accompany each traditional story.