Hiawatha

Family: Ojibways · Role: son of Wenonah and Mudjekeewis; grandson of Nokomis · First appears: III · Hiawatha’s Childhood

In III · Hiawatha’s Childhood, Hiawatha’s mother, Wenonah, died in anguish after giving birth to him. His grandmother Nokomis nursed and raised him by the shores of Gitche Gumee, teaching him about the stars, spirits, and world around him; he learned the languages and secrets of birds and beasts. Iagoo made him a bow and arrows and sent him to hunt, and Hiawatha killed a red deer. Nokomis made him a cloak from its hide and a banquet from its flesh.

In IV · Hiawatha and Mudjekeewis, Hiawatha learned of his father Mudjekeewis’s falsehood and went to confront him. He charged his father with killing Wenonah, and Mudjekeewis bowed his head and assented with a silent nod. Hiawatha hurled fragments of rock at him, and their conflict continued through a three-day fighting retreat westward before Mudjekeewis revealed that the battle was a trial of Hiawatha’s courage. In V · Hiawatha’s Fasting, Hiawatha fasted for seven days and nights for the people. Mondamin came to instruct him and wrestled with him; Hiawatha defeated him and buried him as requested. Maize grew from Mondamin’s grave, and Hiawatha gathered it and shared the new food with the people.

In VII · Hiawatha’s Sailing, Hiawatha built a birch-bark canoe and worked with his friend Kwasind to clear a river passage for the people. In VIII · Hiawatha’s Fishing, the fish Mishe-Nahma swallowed Hiawatha and his canoe; Hiawatha struck the fish’s heart, and it died. Adjidaumo helped him drag the canoe to safety, and Hiawatha named the squirrel. The sea-gulls, whom he named Kayoshk, widened the openings in the fish’s body and released him. In IX · Hiawatha and the Pearl-Feather, Nokomis urged him to avenge her father’s murder. With guidance from Mama the woodpecker, Hiawatha killed Megissogwon, honored Mama, and shared Megissogwon’s wealth and trophies equally among his people.

In X · Hiawatha’s Wooing, Hiawatha said he would marry Minnehaha so their tribes might be united and old feuds healed. She accepted, and he brought her to Nokomis’s lodge. In XI · Hiawatha’s Wedding-Feast, Nokomis held their wedding feast, and Chibiabos, Hiawatha’s friend, sang. Later, Hiawatha taught his people picture-writing in XIV · Picture-Writing. After Chibiabos died, Hiawatha mourned for seven weeks in XV · Hiawatha’s Lamentation, then taught men the use of simples and antidotes. In XVII · The Hunting of Pau-Puk-Keewis, Hiawatha pursued Pau-Puk-Keewis, who was beaten to death by the hunters; Hiawatha said, “I will change you to an eagle, To Keneu, the great war-eagle”. In XX · The Famine, he searched for food for Minnehaha and mourned beside her body for seven days and nights. In XXII · Hiawatha’s Departure, he welcomed the Black-Robe chief and his companions, entrusted them to Nokomis’s care, and departed by canoe westward.