|
| |
| |
A
SELECTION OF ARTICLES ON THE LEGENDS, FOLKLORE AND HISTORY
OF THE THUNDER BAY AREA
This
is intended as a growing, living archive, therefore if you
have any corrections or articles that you would liike to contribute
please feel free to email
us
Contents
Kakabeka
Falls
You
can not visit Thunder Bay without seeing the beautiful Kakabeka
Falls. A remarkable work of nature. More interesting is
the story of the heroism of a lovely Native Princess. The
peace-loving grand old leader of the Ojibway tribe, Chieftain
White Bear, was interested only in the safety of his people.
Chief
White Bear was greatly disturbed to learn that large numbers
of the Sioux were approaching his tribe's encampment at
the mouth of the Kaministiquia River, with the intention
of destroying his tribe. Too old to go to battle himself
and not knowing how to stop the enemy, the old Chief was
worried. Seeing her father's dilema, Princess Green Mantle
came up with a plan. She hurriedly left the camp and paddled
up the Kaministiquia River. She had been up the river in
a canoe with her brother many times and knew of the Great
White Falls. She left her canoe at the bottom of the falls
and ran until she was well above the waterfall. Soon she
was within sight of the Sioux Camp.
She
walked into the camp of her tribes biggest enemies. They
pounced upon her and captured her. Pretending to have lost
her way, she fooled them into thinking she was very scared.
Green Mantle was taken before
the Sioux Chieftains and they decided kill her. Bargaining
with them she continued her plan and told them that if they
would spare her life she would take them to her father's
camp. The Sioux Chiefs were happy with this and the following
morning the Princess was placed in her canoe and the Sioux
followed in theirs. Green Mantle had suggested the Sioux
should tie their canoes together to form a chain so that
they would not get separated. But, she had not told them
about the falls and as they turned the bend of the river,
they plunged headlong into the great gorge, killing all.
Princess Green Mantle of course lost her life but all of
her tribe were saved from the hands of the most feared of
all Native tribesmen. The Great Manitou looked kindly upon
the brave little maiden, and if you take the trouble to
walk down the viewing pods, the figure of Green Mantle can
be observed in the mist, standing as a monument to the memory
of the Princess who gave her life for her people.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
THE MONTH IN VIEW
Login
to
Thunder Bay Net Mail
|
