Maid of the Mist (legend)
The legend of the Maid of the Mist originates from the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) culture and tells the story of a young woman named Lelawala, who, overwhelmed by grief after losing her loved one, embarks on a canoe journey towards Niagara Falls. In her despair, she discards her paddle and prays to Heno, the God of Thunder, seeking a swift end to her suffering. Instead of meeting her demise, she is saved by Heno, who takes her to live beneath the falls, where she eventually marries his son and starts a family.
The tale emphasizes themes of heroism and resilience, despite its inherently sorrowful beginning. However, the story has multiple interpretations that reflect different cultural perspectives, particularly regarding the motivations driving Lelawala to the river. While some versions depict her as a victim of sacrifice, others focus on her grief and quest for peace. This complexity has led to debates among scholars about the authenticity of various retellings, especially as European narratives often altered the original story. Despite these controversies, the Maid of the Mist remains a cherished legend in the Niagara Falls area, symbolizing both the natural beauty of the region and the rich cultural heritage of the Haudenosaunee people. The name has also been adopted for a popular tourist attraction that has been operating since 1846, further embedding the legend into the local identity.
Maid of the Mist (legend)
The legend of the Maid of the Mist stems from a Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) myth that predated the European colonization of America. In the myth, a young woman, suicidal following the death of her love, entered the water in a canoe just above what is Niagara Falls. As she entered the rapids, she threw off her paddle and headed directly toward the raging water. The maid prayed to Heno, the God of Thunder, that her death would be quick. According to legend, Heno caught her just as she went over the falls. He carried her to his home beneath the waters and the maid married his son. Heno eventually moved his family from beneath the water to the clouds in the sky. The echo of his voice is said to still exist as the thunderous sound of Niagara Falls.
Though the legend of the Maid of the Mist is not without sorrow, it is often discussed as an example of heroism and victory. The story is also shrouded with controversy. Different versions present variations on the existing themes, particularly those aspects important to the Haudenosaunee people. Despite the controversies, the Maid of the Mist remains a beloved legend for those in the Niagara Falls region. The legend has also become part of a popular boating attraction that has ferried tourists below the falls since 1846.
Background
The legend of the Maid of the Mist is a Native American story that has been popularized throughout the Niagara region of western New York and Ontario, Canada. A variety of interpretations exist regarding the story, with several common variances. Folklore scholars attribute some of the differences to the oral culture from which the legend stems. Because the story was meant to be told orally, there are aspects that cannot be explained adequately through the written word. In addition, each interpretation of the story contains the biases of the writer and the languages used.
One version of the story involves Lelawala, a Seneca girl who became grief-stricken following the death of her husband. According to legend, Lelawala was consumed by her grief and set off in a canoe in the Niagara River, toward Niagara Falls. The young woman allowed the current and rapids to catch her boat, and she was immediately taken over the waterfall. As she plunged toward the water below, Lelawala was caught by Heno, the God of Thunder. Heno took the young woman to his home behind the falls, and he and his youngest son cared for Lelawala. Eventually, Lelawala and Heno’s youngest son were married. Although the couple was happy, Lelawala longed to see her original family. One day, Heno told Lelawala that a giant snake was traveling down the river with the plan of infecting the water. Because this was the water that Lelawala’s family consumed, Heno allowed her to visit her village to warn them of the pending danger.
When the snake arrived at the village, it found no one there. Lelawala had warned her family and others about the snake, and they fled to higher grounds. When the snake continued on to finish its mission, Heno rose out of the water and stuck the snake dead with a lightning bolt. The snake’s dead body then dammed up the river. Water began rushing into Heno’s home, and Heno evacuated his family, Lelawala included. The family ultimately moved from living behind the falls to living high among the clouds.
Another popular version of the myth also stems from the Haudenosaunee and predates the European colonization of America. In that myth, as the grief-stricken young woman neared the falls, she threw away her paddle and prayed directly to Heno, the God of Thunder, for a quick death. In other versions, the young woman and her canoe ventured over the falls and were caught by the God of Thunder’s hand. Heno then took the young woman to his home behind the falls, where she married his son. Despite leading a happy life, the young woman missed her family. Thus, like in other versions on the story, she returned home to warn her family of the approaching dangers.
Controversies
The legend of the Maid of the Mist is the subject of some controversy. Although the characters of the maid and God of Thunder are consistent, the driving force that brought the young woman to the Niagara River is not. Although the original Haudenosaunee myth tells of the grief-stricken maid going to the river to commit suicide, other interpretations situate the maid as a victim of human sacrifice. Scholars—Native and non-Native—have said there is no definitive proof to this version and claim it is a misguided and melodramatic interpretation. Some have said that the Haudenosaunee were more respectful toward women than the Europeans who widely adopted this version of the tale.
Donald E. Loker, a Niagara Falls Public Library historian, has blamed Robert Cavelier de La Salle, a European explorer, with feeding into the long-standing interpretation. Cavelier de La Salle visited the Iroquois in 1679 for trading purposes. When he later wrote about his experiences, he included details involving Chief Eagle Eyes and his daughter, Lelawala. Cavelier de La Salle said that Lelawala was set to be sacrificed, but the chief changed his mind at the last minute. In an attempt to save the young women, the chief allegedly set off in his own canoe to stop her. However, as the battled the raging water, both fell from the Falls and died. Years later, the wife of Cavelier de La Salle said her husband lied about the story in order to paint the Indigenous people in a negative light.
In 1846, when the Maid of the Mist Corporation began using the more violent, and likely incorrect, version of the legend, the Haudenosaunee people threatened to protest against the company and their tourist site. James Glynn, corporation president, eventually agreed to stop relaying this version of the legend to riders.
Bibliography
Johnson, Jeff. “The Real Maid of the Mist: Niagara’s Famous Legend.” Niagara Falls Crowne Plaza, 19 Jan. 2015, www.niagarafallscrowneplazahotel.com/blog/2015/01/real-maid-mist-niagaras-famous-legend/. Accessed 8 April 2023.
“Niagara Falls Mythology.” Niagara Falls Up Close, 2019, niagarafallsupclose.com/niagara-falls-mythology/. Accessed 8 April 2023.
“The Original Legend of the Maid of the Mist.” Niagara Falls Reporter, 16 Dec. 2014, www.niagarafallsreporter.com/Stories/2014/DEC16/MaidLegend.html. Accessed 8 April 2023.
Schlosser, S.E. “The Maid of the Mist: A Native American Myth.” American Folklore, 28 Aug. 2022, americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/09/the‗maid‗of‗the‗mist.html. Accessed 8 April 2023.
“Soak Up Some Maid of the Mist History.” Maid of the Mist, 2023, www.maidofthemist.com/history-page/. Accessed 8 April 2023.
Wilson, Sue. “White Myths, Indian Maidens, Haudenosaunee Controcersy: ‘Maid of the Mist’ More than a Legend.” Amerinda, amerinda.org/talkingstick/5-1/whitemyths.html. Accessed 8 April 2023.