There are many stories about “ Misshepezhieu” that have spiritual significance to local Natives. Ellen does not attempt to tell these particular stories. 

 

HISTORICAL REFERENCES:

Peter Unwin has a chapter (3^rd) about the dragon, Misshepezhieu, in his book called “The Wolf’s Head” (Viking, 2003).   Below are some references from his book with various descriptions of the creature.  These stories leave us with the opportunity to envision the dragon in various ways or as we wish.

 

Jean Allouez wrote about sacrifices to the spirit Missibizi in 1667 to make Sturgeon rise in the water.

 

Nicholaus Perrot called it Michipissy.  

 

Reverend  T.S.H. Baxter was upset about  immigrants and priests discussing the creature.

 

Bishop Baraga (Mishibiji) and  Raudot (Mishapoux) refer often to the creature, sometimes calling it a lion or snake.  Some say that the power of the entity resides in copper.

 

James Evans in 1838 referred to the creature as the Manitou and that one should stare him in the face to stay alive during a storm.

 

Father Paul LeJeune apparently saw a man catch a large fish-like creature resembling a lizard. The young man he was with made him throw it back into the water as keeping it could cause storms.

 

Pierre Radisson told stories about a “snake with a head like a turtle”.  

 

Vincent Germaine saw a dragon that apparently haunted him his entire life.

 

Francis Kellogg said that the dragon had the shape of Lake Superior itself.  

 

There are stories in Unwin’s book suggesting that the dragon was involved with the Edmund Fritzgerald tragedy.  There is a belief among many that the creature lives in caves below the surface of Lake Superior. There are stories about the dragon snatching children from the shore and causing storms when angry. Many native references refer to the dragon as a shape shifter capable of tricking others.

 

Edwin James wrote songs about the creature in 1830.

 

If you Google serpents or dragons on the Great Lakes you will find many reference stories.  As you can see, most of those above are referenced from white missionaries and settlers as well as Natives. All of these dragon stories have become a part of Canadian History. It is just recently that the dragon has entered common reference and usage.  Before modern times, dragon talk was scary and often taboo.