Neptune's Dolphins

 

Mishipeshu, Herself, resembles a puma (panther) (Note 2) with copper horns and scales. Her home lies between Michipicoten (Lake Superior, Ontario) and Manitoulin Islands (Lake Huron, Ontario). She guards the copper of the region, with the Michipicoten Island being off limits for everyone, The copper are playthings for Her Children. Anyone taking copper is chased and drowned by Mishipeshu. She is the reason that many copper ships in Lake Superior are often lost during the raging tempests.

 

Possessing an ill temper, Mishipeshu will cause violent waters and storms to occur, often drowning people. Before making Herself known, She will speak in a roaring hiss sounding similar to rushing waters. When hearing her hissing, a traveler on the water will offer Mishipeshu tobacco to appease Her.

 

The Anishinaabe regard Mishipeshu necessary for keeping the balance of life. She protects lakes and rivers allowing the fish and wildlife to flourish. Since Mishipeshu can control the weather, She brings storms to clean the waters and rearrange the lands surrounding them. People will call on Her for protection since She ensures the purity of the ponds and streams.

 

The Prairie Band of the Potawatomi holds the Bundle Ceremony to honor Mishipeshu. (The ceremony involves opening a sacred bundle.) To ensure the well-being of the People, the Bundle Ceremony keeps the balance between the Thunderbird and Mishipeshu. As Master of Air, Thunderbird inhabits the skies, while Mishipeshu lives in the Underworld. (Traditional Ashinaabe quill work features both of these Gods.)

 

Notes:

Note 1: The Anishinaabe People are the Ojibwe, Odawa (Ottawa), Potawatomi, Mississaugas, Nipissing, and Algonquin.

 

Note 2: “Panther” is a commonly used word for several cats. The puma (cougar), a member of the Small Cat Sub-family, is called “panther.” The leopard and jaguar are also called “panther.”