Read an Excerpt from THE POWER OF THE LITTLE PEOPLE by Bomgiizhik Isaac Murdoch

In the long-awaited third entry in Bomgiizhik Isaac Murdoch’s Ojibwe History series, The Power of the Little People (Kegedonce Press) brings readers into the heart of Anishinaabe storytelling with a stunning collection that honours the Maymaygwesiwak, the little people who protect the earth and uphold ancient teachings. This essential work gathers stories rooted in the land and spirit of the north shore of Lake Huron, told with the immediacy and warmth of an oral storytelling tradition.

Through these tales, Murdoch reveals how the Maymaygwesiwak guide humans toward balance, respect, and connection with the natural world. Their wisdom in medicine, ceremony, and coexistence speaks to the enduring relationship between people and the earth, offering lessons that feel both timeless and urgent.

Presented in both English and Anishinaabemowin, The Power of the Little People continues Murdoch’s vital work in language revitalization and cultural preservation. The collection stands as a moving testament to the strength of storytelling and its power to sustain community, knowledge, and hope.

Read on for a riveting excerpt from the collection!

Excerpt from The Power of the Little People by Bomgiizhik Isaac Murdoch

They say there was once a young child with a little bow and arrow, heading out on his first hunt. It was to be an honourable day. When an arrow strikes an animal, that animal becomes part of your life path. It nourishes you, brings you health, and joins your family — as a relative would.

The boy wandered through the tall grass, bow in hand, when he heard a flutter among the weeds — a soft thump thump thump. He crept closer and saw a partridge. The bird darted back and forth until it paused, and the boy took his shot.

The arrow flew straight, striking the partridge in the neck. The bird flopped once, twice, then went still. The boy’s heart leapt — his first kill.

He ran to the bird, thankful, and raised his voice to honour the six great powers of the sky: Waabanong, Zhaawanong, Epangishmok, Giiwedinong, Naamii’ing, and Giizhikdong. As he bent to pull out his arrow, a voice spoke.

“What are you doing with that partridge?”

He looked around. No one. The voice came again, firmer this time. “Put that partridge down.”

The boy obeyed. From the hollow of a nearby tree leapt a Pahiihnsag — a little person. The being strode over to the partridge and said, “I shot that bird.” And when the boy looked closer, he saw another, smaller arrow in the bird’s neck.

They had shot the partridge at the same moment.

The little person lifted his arrow to the sky and danced with joy. The boy smiled and told him to take the bird, but the Pahiihnsag shook his head. “We share this. Come with me to my village.”

They walked to a river where fifteen small huts stood made of grass and sticks. Tiny canoes with little paddles lined the shore. As the Pahiihnsag returned with the partridge, the people began to dance, lifting their arms to the sky in gratitude.

Their leader told them that the partridge had also been shot by the boy — that it was his first kill, and that he was an honoured guest. The Pahiihnsag decided to teach the boy something sacred in return — a blessing for sharing his kill and his good heart.

They gathered clay, covering the partridge until it became a smooth ball, then placed it on a bright, smokeless fire of red, yellow, orange, and blue. As it cooked, one of the little people spoke:

“You could have taken that bird and bragged about your first kill. But instead, you shared it. You have a good heart. Remember — everything on this earth has eyes, ears, and a mouth. The plants see you. The animals see you. The trees and wind and water hear you. Everything watches, but you must learn to be still to hear them speak.”

They told him that they would teach him to listen — to seek the voices of the earth. His true education, they said, would come from the spirits of the land and the stars above.

Excerpt from The Power of the Little People by Bomgiizhik Isaac Murdoch (Kegedonce Press, 2025). Reprinted with permission from the publisher.

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Bomgiizhik (Isaac Murdoch) is from Nimkii Aazhibikoong First Nation. He is of the Fish Clan and is Ojibwe. He has four beautiful children. He currently lives in the forest at Nimkii Aazhibikoong, an Indigenous community that focuses on Indigenous language, art, and land based activities. Being blessed with the opportunity, Bomgiizhik grew up in the traditional setting of hunting and gathering on the land. Having spent many years learning from Elders, he spends a lot of his time as a Story Teller. Many of these stories become his visual art pieces which have become recognized world wide. Bomgiizhik is also a Singer Song Writer who loves to make music when ever he gets a chance.