Stories and Teachings from the Earth, part 29: Wenabozho Tends the Fire

zhaawano
Aug 8
5 min read

Updated: Aug 26

Miin-giizis (Blueberry Moon) / Aabita-niibino-giizis (Midsummer Moon), August 8, 2025

This blog post features audio recordings with pronunciations of Ojibwe words!

Wenabozho-ininizhimowin ("Wenabozho's Refuge" Painting by Zhaawano Giizhik

GANAWISHKODAWE WENABOZHO—"WENABOZHO TENDS THE FIRE"

Pronounce: [GUN-aw-ish-KOHT-da-weh weh-na-BOO-shoh] Or: [Ka-na-wEE-ish-koh-tEH-ih-WEH NAH-nah-posh] (Turtle Mountains pronunciation)

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Who is Wenabozho, and what importance does this dualistic figure have for us? Wenabozho plays various roles. In several of my stories, each narrative highlights a unique aspect of our cherished cultural story character. As a trickster, Wenabozho often seeks to create predicaments, mirroring the difficulties and traumas encountered by Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island, both individually and collectively.

Anishinaabe scholar Leanne Simpson points out that Nanabush (Wenabozho's name as told by his grandmother) often displays capitalistic behaviors. They can be greedy, manipulative, and motivated by personal gain. These earthly desires usually result in chaos. However, by building strong relationships with others, Wenabozho achieves balance. Moreover, as he becomes more connected to his surroundings, his character promotes the ideal of decolonization through learned consent, recognition, and reciprocity. Thus, the tales of Wenabozho guide individuals through life experiences and impart moral lessons. *

Wenabozho is recognized as a formidable hunter and a shapeshifter. As a hunter, he frequently outwits his prey. He is famous for stealing fire and giving it to the Anishinaabeg (humans). In various versions of the fire tale, he changes into a waaboooz (snowshoe hare), misaabooz (jackrabbit), or other animals to outsmart the fire's guardians and bring this essential element to the Anishinaabeg. In some stories, Wenabozho cleverly gains access to the place where the fire is kept—often guarded by powerful beings like Binesi (Thunderbird) or a fierce warrior—and manages to steal it. After successfully obtaining the fire, Wenabozho shares it with the Anishinaabeg, allowing them to cook food, have light, and endure the long winters.

What's the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) word for fire? And why is it called so?

The term we use for fire is ishkode. When dissecting the word, you get ishk-ode’, which translates to "‘first spark of the heart."

You might wonder how ishkode is connected to the heart?

Fire is a natural element that comes from both the sky and the earth. Ishkode is essential to our izhitwaawin, which includes our beliefs and worldview. Ishkode symbolizes the Earth's creative energy, reflected in the planet's molten core, its heart.

Since ancient times, ishkode has been the sacred possession of Binesi, the Thunderbird Clan. Ishkode serves as the means by which sacrifices and petitions are conveyed to the manidoog (spirits). This renders the ishkode especially sacred, and those who possess it hold a spiritual power that is truly unmatched. The ishkode resides in naawakamig: In the heart and center of the earth. The center is the point of control where all cardinal directions meet. Therefore, whoever controls the center also controls the cardinal directions, and thus, gakina gegoo: Everything within the waawiyebii'igan (circle) and everything in waawiyekamig (the universe).

It could be said, therefore, that Ishkode, the ancient spirit that existed long before humans, acts as a purifier and nourisher of the land and air. Without ishkode, growth and decay would not occur; without ishkode, the cycle of Creation would not exist. The miziweshkode, the cosmic fire, resides not only in our earthly human world and in the star world where our ancestors dwell but also within our own hearts. We simply need to acknowledge this fire within us and use it for good. Haw sa! Ishkode, the initial spark of the heart, is a powerful and ever-present force that manifests throughout the cycle of Life.

Regarding Wenabozho, it is believed that he vanished from the earth and withdrew to an island either in the direction of the sunrise or the sunset (opinions vary on this), where a giant giizhik (northern white cedar) grows on his head. In this distant sanctuary, he keeps a fire burning for us Anishinaabeg until we can once again tend to it ourselves...

Ahaaw sa. Let's delve deeper into the word "ishkode" and its pronunciation using both script and audio. After this, we'll spotlight related words, including nouns and verbs, that feature "ishkode" in some form.

ISHKODE - FIRE, A FIRE

Pronounce: [ish-koht-TEH]

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ISHKODE RELATED WORDS:

ISHKODEKE—S/HE MAKES A FIRE

Pronounce: [ish-koht-teh-KEH]

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Or: Ishkode'ike - s/he makes a fire (Turtle Mountains pronunciation) **

Pronounce: [ish-caught-tay-EE-keh]

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GANAWISHKODAWE— (S)HE KEEPS THE FIRE, TENDS THE FIRE

Pronounce: [GUN-aw-ish-KOHT-da-weh]

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Or: [Ka-na-wEE-ish-koh-tEH-ee-WEH] (Mikinaakwajiiwig/Turtle Mountains pronunciation) **

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Ni-ganawishkodawe - I tend the Fire
Pronounce: [nih-gun-aw-ish-KOHT-da-weh] Or: [nee-Kan-na-wEE-ish-koh-tEH-ee-WEH] (Mikinaakwajiiwig/Turtle Mountains pronunciation) **
Gi-ganawishkodawe - You tend the Fire
Pronounce: [gih-gun-aw-ish-KOHT-da-weh] Or: [geeh-Kan-na-wEE-ish-koh-tEH-ee-WEH] (Mikinaakwajiiwig/Turtle Mountains pronunciation) ** (the "g" in "geeh" has a guttural sound)
Ganawishkodawe - (S)he tends the Fire

Pronounce: [GUN-aw-ish-KOHT-da- weh]

Or: [Kan-na-wEE-ish-koh-tEH-ee-WEH (Mikinaakwajiiwig/Turtle Mountains pronunciation) **