Stories from the Land of Crane and Turtle, part 7: The Return of the Ice Cannibals
- zhaawano
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Manidoo-giizis (Spirit Moon) (January 27, 2026)
On a fateful day in the northern country, some humans, who had previously been content with eating giigoonhyag (the fish) from the rivers and lakes, forgot the teachings the Anishinaabeg had brought from their homeland in the East... They neglected the benevolent acts of the Winter Spirits that had come to earth to save it. They disregarded the seven teachings passed down by their ancestors from the Dawn Land. Succumbing to evil ways, they found that the fish in the water could no longer satisfy their unending hunger. From that day forward, only the taste of human flesh could satiate them, leading them to become cannibals. Their spirit of greed and destruction spread to others, driving them to commit unspeakable acts...Many who were infected ended up killing and eating their own families...
Atayaa! These humans began to resemble the Winter Spirits of a long time past. Not only did they look like these Winter Spirits, but they genuinely evolved into a new race of Winter Spirits! Their hearts turned to ICE...
During the brutal winter, these merciless ICE CANNIBALS brought trauma and death to our communities. They were never satisfied after consuming another human being. They not only killed our people but also made a habit of tearing apart children, elders, and women, scattering their body parts as they moved on. They did this to instill fear and terror in the hearts and minds of the Anishinaabeg, knowing that the place called Waakwi—the Land behind the stars where our ancestors reside—cannot be entered without all of our body parts intact.
It was widely recognized that, from the ICE CANNIBALS' perspective, they weren’t merely consuming humans; in their view, when devouring human flesh and bones, they were actually consuming the doodemag (clans) of their victims. This represented the greatest threat imaginable to the Anishinaabeg, as consuming their clans would, both literally and metaphorically, result in the disintegration of the nation's social structure. Consequently, the People as a whole would inevitably face extinction…
“Betag!” the parents and grandparents warned their children and grandchildren, “Gaagige weweni onji ashwaabam wiindigoo! Aabanaabin bezhigo bimose’an ingoji! Be cautious! Watch out for the Ice Cannibal! Always keep an eye out for him! Check behind you when you walk alone!”
As a result, the Ice Cannibals became the most significant threat our People had faced since ancient times. Fear and terror filled the daily lives of the people, and they had completely lost hope.
One day, a hunter named Miigis (Shell), who lived alone on the northern shore of a lake called Dimii'aagami, ¹ heard about a frightening tribe of men who had traveled south, wreaking havoc in a town named Mishiimini-oodenang, ² terrorizing the inhabitants and consuming human flesh. Guided by Makwa the bear, his bawaagan (guardian spirit), in a dream, he learned how to create mashkiki (medicine) to gain the strength to defeat the Ice Cannibals. He transformed into a misaabe (giant) and, instead of heading south to Mishiimini-oodenang, he tracked down their ogimaa (chief) on the shore of a large northern bay named Wiinibiigoo-wiikwed ³ and killed him with a single powerful blow of his war club. Hoowah! Upon learning of their chief's death, the bloodthirsty tribe fled Mishiimini-oodenang in panic and never returned!
Following the Ice Chief's defeat at Wiinibigoo-wiikwed, the many men, women, and children who had fallen victim to his tribe were brought back to life. Yet, regrettably, the slain chief himself transformed into an incorporeal entity, a malevolent spirit. This spirit continues to exist within every human being, occasionally lying dormant, but at other times very much active.
Even though Miigis was able to defeat the chief of the Ice Cannibals and banish the rest of his deadly tribe to a distant land filled with caves and marshes, their spirit still lingers among us. Their presence is still very much felt! The elders who are still with us recognize that the desire for human flesh, which dates back to the ice ages, will endure as long as humanity exists.
After Miigis' courageous deed, the tales of the Ice Cannibals, called wiindigoog in our language, act as cautionary narratives highlighting the perils of self-destruction, greed, and selfishness. These stories emphasize the significance of community spirit and the need to uphold a strong sense of responsibility to the collective. In moments of sorrow and uncertainty like these, we must rely on each other, seeking healing and inclusion through reflection and ceremony. The resilience of our Indigenous communities is crucial, especially during these trying times!
The story of the ICE CANNIBALS serves as a reminder that, both individually and collectively, we must pay attention to the age-old warning that the wiindigoo resides within each of us, and its thirst for blood will endure until the earth is engulfed in flames and obliterated. We must remain vigilant and keep watching patterns, and do everything possible to avoid awakening it and satisfying its endless hunger. Therefore, it is crucial to keep the cautionary tales of the wiindigoo alive...
To explore this topic further, refer to: The Wiindigoo Has Always Been Here
Note: Wiindigoo, with the plural form wiindigoog, is an Ojibwe term derived from "wintekwewa." It describes an entity invoked or designated by higher powers, similar to the Windigoo, which is depicted as a creature driven by malevolent forces.
FOOTNOTES:
¹ Dimii'aagami, literally" Deep Lake" : Temigami, Ontario.
² Mishiimini-oodenang, literally "Apple Village": present-day Minneapolis.
³ Wiinibiigoo-wiikwed, literally Murky Water Bay: present-day James Bay, Ontario.
Illustration: "Return of the Wiindigoo" ©2026 Zhaawano Giizhik
AN OVERVIEW OF THE "STORIES FROM THE LAND OF CRANE AND TURTLE" SERIES:
Stories from the Land of Crane and Turtle: Wenabozho and the ButterfliesStories from the Land of Crane and Turtle: Zhoomin and the Vision of the Dancing Corn PlantsStories from the Land of Crane and Turtle: Wenabozho and the Magic Bow