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Native Languages of the Americas:
Chipewyan Indian Legends

This is our collection of links to Chipewyan 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 Chipewyans, the traditional stories of related tribes like the Slavey and Carrier tribes are very similar.

Note that since many children use this site, we have tried to avoid linking to any legends or stories which deal explicitly with sex or contain bad language, including slur words for Native Americans. However, like the folklore of any culture -- including European fairy tales -- there is often violence and bad behavior in American Indian folklore, so please use discretion about sharing them with younger children.

Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Chipewyan legend for this page or think one of the ones on here should be removed, please contact us and let us know.

Chipewyan Indian Folklore

*Dene Creation Myth:
    Dene legend about the creation of the world.
*The Monster Bird:
    A typical Athabaskan story about a young man's adventures in the sky world.
*Raised-By-His-Grandmother:
    Dene legends about a magical caribou boy.
*Sa-Klu-Nazetti (The Sun Taken in a Snare):
    Chippewyan myth about the origin of the seasons.
Love and Support:
     Story of a Dene man adopted by a bear.
*Bear and Squirrel:
    Dene story about the origin of light and darkness.
*The Boy Who Became Strong:
    Legend of a Dene Indian hero and his faithful wife.
Elder Speak:
     Collection of oral history narrated by Cree and Dene elders.

Additional Resources

 Chipewyan religion and expressive culture
 Books of American Indian folklore
 Indian religions
 Alberta First Nations
 The Subarctic
 Athabascan Indians



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