Talk:Wendigo

Weird Universe

Just a note that this page was referenced/linked at the Weird Universe daily column on 7/21/08. Beeblbrox (talk) 06:02, 22 July 2008 (UTC)

Grendel

Deconstructhis: I agree that the justification used for adding the link was an incorrect one. However I would maintain that "Grendel was in fact a Windigo". I suspect that debating the historical veracity of Grendel's existence itself would lead us in the direction of "original research". Instead I will simply point out that the Windigo taboo generally applies to any cannibal and is based on the actually experience of cannibalism, as well as the threat posed by anyone who has been forced out of the band and is failing to survive on their own. Grendel behaves exactly like a Windigo, and qualifies under the definition of a Windigo, if perhaps a Windigo outside of the standard Algonquian language group terminology and cosmology. Hrimpurstala (talk) 05:51, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

Sorry Hrimpurstala, but I'm afraid we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one. Wendigos are very specifically an entity in North American Algonquian language speaking traditional belief systems. Grendel is quite specifically a single figure in a European legend. Although they may share the practice of cannibalism and alienation from their respective communities, both are conditions which are far from uncommon in many parts of the world throughout history. Linking the two of them together, as you are doing, requires an original thesis on your part, which of course is a violation of WP:OR. Unless you can provide a specific reference from a reputable source to justify the connection you're making, I don't think the precence of the link is justifiable in the context of the Wendigo article. To tell you the truth, in my opinion, because of the tenuousness of the connection, I'd suggest that the parallels are somewhat non-notable regardless. cheers Deconstructhis (talk) 16:00, 9 August 2008 (UTC)

i think so tooo —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.158.76.151 (talk) 22:29, 10 September 2008 (UTC)

He isn't a Wendigo, he is an Orcne (obviously the same as a Draugr), which is very similar but Germanic instead of Native American. King Geiseric (talk) 18:00, 17 November 2008 (UTC)

In his book "People of the Deer", Farley Mowat tells of the Inuit around Hudson bay having stories about the Wendigo. I dont believe the Inuit were in the Algonquin language "famliy". — Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.207.124.1 (talk) 13:44, 6 March 2012 (UTC)

New addition to "Windigo psychosis" section

Although I only copy edited it, rather than removing it, I remain somewhat dubious of the appropriateness of the most recent addition to this section. Now that I've actually read the initial article that's being referred to, I'm even more convinced that this may simply be a case of coincidence and perhaps a little bit of self promotion on the part of the "wendigo expert". We have no evidence whatsoever that Li actually read this article, let alone was 'influenced' by it. I'll let it stand for now, but unless there's some clear evidence in the near future that ties the article and the event together more directly, I'm planning on removing it. I'd understand completely if another editor wasn't quite this generous. cheers Deconstructhis (talk) 13:04, 15 August 2008 (UTC)

I've removed it (and only half a year later!). The only source actually cited is the Edmonton Sun article (plus a follow-up), whose text is just duplicated for the third source. The Edmonton Sun being a tabloid paper. I haven't found mention of the windigo connection in any other (more reputable) sources, nor any mention of Li's reading a previous Sun article (which seems to just be sensationalist self-promotion by the Sun). Indeed, more recent sources (e.g., [1] and [2]), discussing Li's plea and sentencing, reveal that he has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and believed that God told him to attack McLean, who ("God" claimed) was planning to kill Li. No mention of any windigo psychosis or a belief on Li's part that he was somehow possessed by a windigo. --Miskwito (talk) 21:37, 4 April 2009 (UTC)

twin peaks

so, just wondering, has info about Bob from TP been previously removed from this article? because it seems like there are lots of dead end, half-references to the Bob character, throughout this article, but I don't see anything concrete, like a mention in the pop culture section or something. any Kyle Maclachan fans care to comment? 72.0.180.2 (talk) 10:56, 16 August 2008 (UTC)

TV appearances separation

In the article is a sentence which mentions several TV-episodes, in which the Wendigo appears. And in the following list there are some more TV-series and detailed information about them. I can't see the reason for the different treatment. Wouldn't it be better to have either everything written out or nothing?Kommitanz (talk) 20:01, 13 November 2008 (UTC)

I don't think that 25 miles in an Albertan winter of the 1800s is "so close" to food relief at HBC. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Ca.browne (talk • contribs) 23:43, 26 October 2009 (UTC)

TV show Are You Afraid of the Dark should be included https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Are_You_Afraid_of_the_Dark Episode 5.8 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Are_You_Afraid_of_the_Dark%3F_episodes#Season_5_.281995.E2.80.9396.29 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.59.51.174 (talk) 19:47, 12 October 2015 (UTC)

Error?

The article states that a Wendigo is "a malevolent cannibalistic spirit into which humans could transform". Should this not be "a malevolent cannibalistic spirit which could transform into humans", or according to the legend could humans actually transform into this spirit? --KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 13:22, 31 January 2011 (UTC)

It's the humans that transform into the wendigo, or that are possessed, usually. That's the point of the taboo - if you resort to cannibalism, you'll become a wendigo.--Cúchullain ^t/c 13:32, 31 January 2011 (UTC)

Donner Party Error

The article refers to the Donner party, saying they became lost in Colorado in 1846. That is incorrect, the Donner party went missing in the Sierra Nevadas in California in 1846, after traveling through Nevada and straying from the normal trail right before the Donner pass. Both the pass and Donner lake in the Sierra Nevadas have been named for the Donner party. 168.105.121.91 (talk) 19:00, 27 September 2015 (UTC)

Fear itself

I wanted to add that Fear Itself (TV show) has a very good Wendigo episode (episode 8) which provides what seems to be a pretty good representation of a Wendigo (and uses the term "Wendigo") so I thought I'd add it to the series listed which lists shows which have featured them, but I don't know how to link properly on wikipedia... :/ the episode is #8 "Skin and Bones" if anyone cares to link it properly.. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 184.56.151.34 (talk) 08:49, 22 February 2012 (UTC)

Citations are done incorrectly

I'm not an expert on doing citations properly, but the huge pile of almost-identical citations near the bottom without much notion of what it's actually citing worry me. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.60.115.152 (talk) 07:30, 9 April 2013 (UTC)

Lovecraft

I distinctly recall the Wendigo being a pivotal threat in one particular story of the Lovecraft Mythos, but I cannot find my copy, and so can provide neither title nor author.

On an unrelated note, descriptions of the original Native versions struck a bell with me, and I cannot help but to wonder if the Wendigo is not a legendary memory of an actual (unknown) form of Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. The progressive psychosis and the connection to cannibalism are both suggestive. This is of course idle speculation, as it appears to be an extinct phenomenon (if it ever existed at all).Ernest C. Ruger (talk) 00:50, 3 October 2013 (UTC)

I believe the story you're thinking of is the "Ithaqua", a short story written by August Derleth. 107.4.201.198 (talk) 00:49, 8 November 2013 (UTC)

Move Wendigo Psychosis to new article?

I suggest that the material on the Wendigo psychosis be moved to a separate article, leaving only a brief reference and wikilink in this one. The mythological creature and the psychiatric disorder really belong to separate fields of study. 850 C (talk) 20:31, 29 June 2015 (UTC)

I agree. Doctorhawkes (talk) 23:35, 29 June 2015 (UTC)

Wendigo as critical concept

"columbus and other cannibals" (jack d forbes) is the first source that springs to mind citably, but I know there are many other native american writers who've used Wendigo as a metaphor for the capitalist/industrial/exploitative attitude towards natural resources.

Also, add something about the way that in (some? all?) the cultures that describe Wendigo, its mention is seasonally taboo, (more dangerous in the winter) the same as several other stories(?) types of stories(?) about the supernatural. It's stuff I don't know how to summarize/cite yet, or don't have the resources. 96.42.44.124 (talk) 06:27, 16 October 2015 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 31 October 2015

Please add the following sources to the bibliography: Brightman, Robert (2015). "The Return of the Windigo, Again," Semiotic Review http://www.semioticreview.com/index.php/thematic-issues/issue-monsters/29-the-return-of-the-windigo-again.html

Smallman, Shawn (2014) Dangerous Spirits: the Windigo in Myth and HistoryItalic text' Victoria, BC: Heritage House Press. ISBN 978-1772030327 71.236.219.0 (talk) 23:04, 31 October 2015 (UTC)

Not done for now: Could you please note where these sources should be used in the article? Simply adding the sources doesn't help much if they do not act as inline citations. -- ferret (talk) 23:43, 31 October 2015 (UTC)

Possible re-wording needed?

I'm sure that it is obvious from my lack of an account that I am not a wiki contributor, so I feel that I would probably not be the best choice to make the changes I will propose henceforth. In the initial introductory paragraph(s) there is a reference to "Wendigo psychosis" that contains this sentence:

"This is supposed to be a culture-bound disorder that features of saucey flesh and a fear the sufferer is a cannibal."

Personally I find the wording used here nearly incomprehensible, especially the part "that features of saucey flesh." With that part removed, "This is supposed to be a culture-bound disorder that features a fear the sufferer is a cannibal." at least makes sense to a degree, although it sounds very improper and I don't think, personally, that it correctly expresses the nature of Wendigo psychosis. Upon further researching the disorder I have absolutely no clue as to why the original writer included the aforementioned part, or what the hell "saucey flesh" is...

If the wiki communities/contributors that maintain this page do decide to re-word that sentence and as well know what the original writer was talking about in that part of the sentence, it may be worth mentioning that I am fairly sure "saucey" should be spelled "saucy."

Wiindigokan

Motion to include a section, or at least some dialogue about the wiindigokan (sacred clown contraries) due to their close relation to the Taboo Reinforcement Ceremony (they evidently led the dance in Cree and Ojibwe Tribe). It would help to shed some light on the perception of the wiindigo monster within the culture, by helping people understand the word's origin, at least such as it exists within Ojibwe culture. Might be a good idea to even create a separate article for Wiindigokan and then link to it. I thought it might just turn into another borderline-stub like the "Heyoka" article, but there's a ton of information out there we could include about them. Although they are similar in tradition to the Heyoka, their style of behaviour, dress, and the folklore about them is actually quite distinct. I would argue that they are a unique enough sect to be noteworthy.

A Poorly Referenced Opinion

In some Indigenous communities, environmental destruction and insatiable greed are also seen as a manifestation of Windigo Psychosis.[7]

If you go to this reference you will find it is an online blog with a definite agenda. You can find out just what that agenda is if you'd bothered to read it. If Wikipedia wants to maintain its credibility in the mainstream then its editors need to find unbiased sources from which to take references. That means a source without an axe to grind. As it is this source is a load of crap. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.252.183.253 (talk) 23:54, 20 April 2016 (UTC)

The site is Mohawk Nation News. They use software also used by bloggers, but it's their official site. - CorbieV ^☊ ☼ 05:03, 21 April 2016 (UTC)

The source is still extremely one-sided and has a pre-determined opinion. This should be most obvious to anyone who reads it. Since it is not, Wikipedia editors for this article do NOT understand the basics of the use of unbiased sources. This article should be about a northeastern Native American legend. Nothing more, nothing less. It is not about other people's personal interpretations of the legend, it is not about other people's opinion of the legend, it is only about one particular legend. It is not for the editors of Wikipedia to inject THEIR PERSONAL OPINION into ANY article or use sources that exert biased on an article. This article as it is written obviously flouts that and with it the lip-service Wikipedia editors give to being an unbiased source of information without POV.