Maiden of the Mist: A Legend of Niagara Falls

by Veronika Martenova Charles

Long ago, a Seneca tribe lived on the Niagara River, just upstream from a great waterfall. With plenty of fish and crops to feed them, life was good in their village. Then a sickness came to the people, and everything changed. As the situation worsened and people died, Lelawala, the chief's daughter, came up with a plan to help. She would go to the thunder god, Hinu, and find out why he wouldn't help her people. But to do that, Lelawala would have to go to his home under the great falls, and never return.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, History

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Tundra’s Veronika Martenova Charles is an award-winning author and illustrator whose books include: Maiden of the Mist: A Legend of Niagara Falls; Stretch, Swallow, & Stare; The Crane Girl, and her five-book series for emergent readers, Easy-To-Read Spooky Tales. Veronika has studied at Ryerson University, the Ontario College of Art and Design, and recently completed her graduate studies in Folklore at York University. Veronika Martenova Charles lives in Toronto.

Reviews

[ConnieLettow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love reading Native American Legends. This is a God story. It is also a pourquoi story. Hinu the god of thunder must be appeased when the tribe gets sick. The people send many gifts of food over the falls, but to no avail, so the elders decide that something more valuable must be sent over the falls. Lelawala, the cheif's daughter, volunteers, and goes over in her canoe. Hinu's son saves her life and wishes to become her husband. He tells her that his father, the god Hinu, can not help the people, because the real reason they are getting sick, is because of a great poisonous serpent living in their water. Lelawala then appears to her father in a dream, and tells him about the serpent. They band together with Hinu's sons, and kill the snake. The body of the massive serpent goes over the falls and gets stuck on either side, creating the shape of a bow, that the falls has to this day.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We bought our copy of the book when we visited Niagara Falls with Samantha and just reread it since we were there for the Canadian Parents for French conference.

I was curious to know if this was actually an indigenous legend and it appears that no, not particularly (https://nfexchange.ca/museum/discover...). However it was a fascinating thing to research a bit and I’m glad it inspired me to read the actual history and understand the significance of the Falls to indigenous people.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting little legend on how Niagara Falls was formed.... Not what I expected. The girl thought the snake part was pretty cool.

[Taija · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Brielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this quickly in the gift shop at Niagara Falls. It's a neat story. I love the Native American legends!

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Solid legend of how Niagara Falls was formed into its current shape. OK art, worked really well with CVA's "Queen of the Falls."

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one day at my temporary publishing job when they put out a reissue. This is the version with the serpent.

I enjoyed both the story and the art. I wish I could own a copy.