17 Windigo Lessons
Mallorie Wookey
Inspired by “Windigo Footprints” in Braiding Sweetgrass
Summary: Stories told to young Anishinaabe people are more than just scary stories about monsters. They have a deeper meaning. They reflect on today’s issues. This chapter teaches children to be thankful, and refrain from becoming a greedy monster. I would encourage readers to do a lot of self-reflecting during and after this reading.
Keywords: Windigo monster, Greedy, Selfish, Suffer, Reality, Grateful
During a cold winter night, as children ate their food around the campfire, they snuggled up close to their families as they tell stories about the Windigo monster.
The Anishinaabe people describe the legendary Windigo monster as a creature that cares more for its own survival than anything else. The monster was greedy and would take more than it needed for it to survive, while watching others suffer without the essentials.
Perhaps Windigo was more than just some monster that lurked around during the wintertime when food was scarce. Perhaps the Windigo monster was a glimpse of reality into the real world.
The stories around the campfire were told to teach children to refrain from being a selfish monster, and instead provide and give back to nature and other people.
Unfortunately, Windigo monsters are all around us in today’s world. Take time to self-reflect on all the things you are grateful for and how you can help those in need.
