The Many Faces of Le Nain Rouge

[gazhekwe]

Excellent photo essay on a complex figure. It puts us right in the picture, even if we couldn't be there. The priest figure, apparently with a big rock, intrigues me. Is someone recognizing the true spirit of le Nain Rouge?

Legend has it that le Nain Rouge was an Indian child, and not a dwarf. The French called the Indians Peaux Rouges, so the term Rouge would in this case refer to that terminology. The skin would not be bright lipstick red, but the color of mahogany, maybe. The child is the son of Miche Piishoo, the Great Lynx, the water spirit who controls the lakes, and whose good will can make for safe travels and good fishing. After some benighted Catholic priests destroyed a stone that had been chosen as a place to honor Miche Piishoo, the son was determined on vengeance. That is what his appearances indicate, not so much an evil created but a vengeful, 'Take that, Detroit!'

In some sense, his appearances could be regarded as warnings, in the same way that his father sends warning of unsafe travel in most cases. The bad things happen, but if we heed the warning, we can protect ourselves. We might be able to appease the little red one by again creating a place for those who wish to honor his father. Respect is all anyone wants, including a powerful water spirit and his son.