There are many animal Manitous in Native spiritual belief, including the bear, the wolf, moose, serpent etc. Each animal Manitou represents a different aspect of spirituality, for example a bear Manitou has strong medicinal powers. Mishipizheu can form into such animals as snakes and other water creatures. All animal Manitous are very powerful. Sometimes these powers are emphasized by power lines and horns.
Power lines emanate from the animal's back.
It is quite apparent that Mishipizheu had some sort of power over the underwater realm, and Native People would pray to Mishipizheu before heading out on long journeys. It is also suggested that the nature of Mishipizheu's power is derived from copper. Bones of Mishipizheu would turn into copper, and therefore copper nuggets were considered sacred. The etching on this artifact does represent Mishipizheu , however the form this Manitou has taken is not obvious. Interestingly, the figure is not facing the viewer, which is common among Mishipizheu rock paintings.