Native tribes
Native cultureNative languages
Native tribes
Native culture
This is our collection of links to Dene folktales and traditional stories that can be read online. We have indexed our Native American mythology section by tribe to make them easier to locate; however, variants on the same legend are often told by American Indians from different tribes, especially if those tribes are kinfolk or neighbors to each other. In particular, though these legends come from the Dene Suline people (also known as "Chipewyan"), the traditional stories of related Athabaskan tribes like the Dene Tha and Carrier tribes are very similar.
Yedariyé
(or Niottsi):
This is the name of the great sky god of the Dene tribes.
He is a benevolent creator spirit who will occasionally intervene to help people in distress.
Yedariyé means "He who lives on high," and Niottsi means "Creator."
Yamoria:
Also known as the Old Man, Transformer or Wanderer.
In Dene stories, Yamoria frequently uses his cleverness rather than his strength to defeat his enemies,
at which point he either kills them or transforms them into something harmless.
Dene Creation Myth:The Monster Bird:Raised-By-His-Grandmother:Sa-Klu-Nazetti (The Sun Taken in a Snare):Love and Support:Bear and Squirrel:The Boy Who Became Strong:Elder Speak:Mythology of the Chipewyans:Chipewyan Tales:
Back to the Dene Indian homepage
Back to the Amerindian tribes homepage
Read some Native American poem books
Native American heritage
Native crafts
Indian moccasins
Native American herb
Star quilts
Would you like to help support our organization's work with endangered American Indian languages?
Contacts and FAQ page