Odzihozo

From the Burlington shoreline, a far-off speck disrupts the smooth surface of the water between Shelburne Point and Juniper Island. An orca fin? A submarine? Champ? According to Abenaki legend, this is Odzihozo.

Odzihozo is the Transformer, "He Who Shaped Himself." From his position at present-day Lake Champlain, he formed his body and then used his hands to pull up the Adirondacks to the West and the Green Mountains to the East, carving out river valleys with his fingertips. As he rose to walk, the impression left by his body formed the lake itself, his legs extending to the north on either side of the Champlain Islands. He was so pleased with his work that he transformed himself into a rock near Burlington Bay, where he could continue to admire the result through the ages.

Boaters continue to leave offerings for Odzihozo, or Dunder Rock, to ensure safe passage across the lake.  

Satellite image showing the
impression of Lake Champlain
created by Odzihozo.
Source: Bing Maps.

Odzihozo photographed from Red Rocks Park. Photo by Sophie Mazowita.