Iroquois Supernatural: Talking Animals and Medicine People

by Michael Bastine, Mason Winfield

Brings the paranormal beings and places of the Iroquois folklore tradition to life through historic and contemporary accounts of otherworldly encounters

• Recounts stories of shapeshifting witches, giant flying heads, enchanted masks, ethereal lights, talking animals, Little People, spirit-choirs, potent curses, and haunted hills, roads, and battlefields

• Includes accounts of miraculous healings by shamans and medicine people such as Mad Bear and Ted Williams

• Shows how these traditions can help one see the richness of the world and help those who have lost the chants of their own ancestors

With a rich history reaching back more than one thousand years, the six nations of the Iroquois Confederacy--the Mohawk, the Oneida, the Onondaga, the Cayuga, the Seneca, and the Tuscarora--are considered to be the most avid storytellers on earth with a collection of tales so vast it would dwarf those of any other society. Covering nearly the whole of New York State from the Hudson and Mohawk River Valleys westward across the Finger Lakes region to Niagara Falls and Salamanca, this mystical culture’s supernatural tradition is the psychic bedrock of the Northeast, yet their treasury of tales and beliefs is largely unknown and their most powerful sacred sites unrecognized.

Assembling the lore and beliefs of this guarded spiritual legacy, Michael Bastine and Mason Winfield share the stories they have collected of both historic and contemporary encounters with beings and places of Iroquois legend: shapeshifting witches, strange forest creatures, ethereal lights, vampire zombies, cursed areas, dark magicians, talking animals, enchanted masks, and haunted hills, roads, and battlefields as well as accounts of miraculous healings by medicine people such as Mad Bear and Ted Williams. Grounding their tales with a history of the Haundenosaunee, the People of the Long House, the authors show how the supernatural beings, places, and customs of the Iroquois live on in contemporary paranormal experience, still surfacing as startling and sometimes inspiring reports of otherworldly creatures, haunted sites, after-death messages, and mystical visions. Providing a link with America’s oldest spiritual roots, these stories help us more deeply know the nature and super-nature around us as well as offer spiritual insights for those who can no longer hear the chants of their own ancestors.

Genres: Nonfiction, Folklore, Cryptozoology

384 pages, Paperback

First published August 16, 2011

Reviews

[S.]

So excited! Just found out I am one of those chosen to receive a copy of this book as a first-reads. Can't wait to get it. Will definitely read and review.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be quite fascinating. I was lucky enough to win it through Goodreads's First Reads Giveaway program. It is not the type of book I typically go for, but I'm really glad that I did. "Irogquois Supernatural" is basically a collection of the paranormal stories typically found in the cultures of the Iroquois Confederacy. It bounces back and forth between encyclopedic explanations of what the creatures are and the beliefs associated with them and stories of sightings and experiences locals (both whites and Native Americans) have had with them.

One of the things I really liked about this book is the tone. It feels like almost a transcript of a lecture series, because the authors often address the reader and ask rhetorical questions about the likelihood of these events, with narratives side by side as examples of the different stories. It also never feels like the authors are forcing you to believe what they're saying, it is more of them presenting you with evidence that you are free to interpret as stories or experiences as you will.

Another neat thing about this book is most of the paranormal "encounters" documented here are from 1950 to the present. There are a multitude of stories from as recent as the 2000s. It's not all ancient stories passed down through the generations, most are recent occurrences.

While I've never been particularly close-minded about the existence of ghosts, the Loch Ness Monster, demons, and other paranormal stories typical to white-society, I would say I am healthily skeptical. This book really gave me pause, and I am definitely more aware of the possibility of these supernatural experiences. While I'm not sure I am ready to say that I believe in all the things discussed in the books, I believe I have more of a respect for the beliefs of these cultures. Admittedly, prior to reading this, I was not aware of how much of the native cultures were still preserved for them, and that medicine men and similar people still existed. I found the section of witches and medicine men to be particularly interesting. I am glad that I read this book in that respect as well, that it opened my eyes to even a cursory look at these cultures in modern times, something that I have not really thought about before.

All in all, I am really glad that I read this book. If you have even the faintest belief in paranormal possibilities, the first hand stories will make you stop and think that maybe these things could be real after all! If you live in New York, it will be particularly entertaining for you since many of the stories have geographical significance that you will be able to identify with, it gives it an extra layer of insight and intrigue!

[Kaela Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful and rock-solid authentic book of history, folklore, and belief of the indigenous people of northern and western New York State—specifically the Iroquois. There are many, many fascinating stories in this book, and a good mix of contemporary (1950s-early 2000s) and historical (19th century and earlier, all cited in the bibliography). I don't think the cover for this one quite does it justice—it makes it look "New Age-y" or a little dubious in its accuracy, when it is a serious and scholarly (though engaging and enjoyable!) work of local history.

Michael Bastine is a member of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation in Quebec, but is also of Algonquian descent and a longtime resident of Erie County, New York. Mason Winfield is a historian, storyteller, and paranormal researcher who is also from upstate New York. They make a great collaborative team. The footnotes are excellent, and the book is extensively sourced—it has a fantastic bibliography. It's the real deal and I am so glad it exists.

[Delbert Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to learn more about our Iroquois brothers and sisters, then this is the book for you. It left me wanting to learn more about the history of New York State before the Europeans settled here.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. Tells the history of our people really well. Even if you weren't intending on reading for the origin information its just very cool to learn about in general. :)

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot about Native American culture and their history in New York State.

[David Dachauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite the different take on the supernatural that I’m used too. I do love late night radio with George Noory and if you like that kind of thing this is your book to keep by your bed side to read for awhile before you go to sleep. That’s if you don’t scare easy. If you do you may want to read it during the day. I love hiking and fishing through out New York and recognized quite a few of the places described in the book. After reading Iroquois Supernatural you should be a master at telling stories around the camp fire. Historically, this book will give you insight as to the Territories of the five original confederacy nations. My favorite chapter was, “The Little People” It is said about someone close to me, that her fairies help her with the work she does with young disabled children. And so, in this book they describe little people as fairies. Could it be the same little people the Native Americans talk about who help my friend? If you like to talk folk lore this book will become your favorite.

[Rick Bavera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iroquois Supernatural provides an intriguing look at the world of Iroquois beliefs in the areas of witchcraft and medicine and related areas.

The book presents historical information, personal first hand accounts, and folk wisdom.

A truly well-done book.

This was a Goodreads/First Reads book.

[Jordan Pellegrini · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. The information was so interesting that I couldn't put the book down. I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.