Bigfoot as Forest Guardians: Insights from Isaac Murdoch and Dr. Kevin Lewis

In a fascinating new video from the Keepers of the Water YouTube channel, esteemed knowledge holder Isaac Murdoch shares traditional teachings about Bigfoot, or Babok, as they are known in the Anishinaabe language. Murdoch, who is from the fish Clan and Serpent River First Nation, grew up in a traditional setting of hunting, fishing, and trapping, learning from Elders in the northern regions of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. He is well respected as a Storyteller and traditional knowledge holder, having committed his life to the preservation of Anishinaabe cultural practices. In the video, Murdoch speaks about how Bigfoot has always been a real and magical presence in Anishinaabe culture. He explains that in his language, there are two words for Bigfoot: Babit, which means "the ones that are traveling around," and Gab, which means "really big big person." He also shares that Bigfoot is often referred to as the Guardians of the forest, requiring offerings for the work that they do, just as spiritual beings do. Murdoch goes on to describe his earliest memories of Bigfoot, hearing from his father that they are the protectors of the forest and require offerings. He remembers being taken to a special place called Ching, which means "the place of the big bones," where the bones of Bigfoot are buried. He was told to be careful not to step over any bones, as doing so would make him sick and possibly lead to his death. One of the most interesting parts of the video is when Murdoch shares a story about a battle between the Anishinaabe and the Mohawk people. He explains that a wounded warrior was taken to the water to be healed, and his friend started to pray for him. Suddenly, a great big being appeared and pulled a yellow water lily root from the water. The being started to smash the root onto the rocks, blowing his sacred breath and infusing it with medicine. He then ground the rock into a powder and rubbed it into the wound, healing the warrior. This video is a must-watch for anyone interested in Bigfoot or Anishinaabe culture. Murdoch's teachings offer a unique perspective on Bigfoot, viewing them as spiritual beings and Guardians of the forest. The video is a great reminder of the importance of respecting and honoring the land and all its inhabitants. I am always excited to learn more about the mysterious creatures known as Bigfoot. This video was particularly interesting to me because of the traditional knowledge and teachings shared by Isaac Murdoch. I encourage all of our readers to watch the video and learn more about the Anishinaabe perspective on Bigfoot.