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Native American Wolf
Wolves appear in the myths and legends of cultures throughout the world and
date back far into history, so it is not surprising that the native American
wolf would have its own particular myths and legends, especially in association
with the indigenous peoples of America. The native American wolf has long
been of importance to native peoples, represented in numerous legends, myths
and stories.
For many indigenous peoples the attraction to the native American wolf had
to do with its qualities. Among these qualities that were so admired was the
way the wolves operated in packs, caring for each other and sharing food,
as well as the strength, endurance and hunting skills displayed by the native
American wolf. These were the same qualities that would help to ensure the
survival of the tribe, qualities worthy of emulating.
The native American wolf was often represented in ceremonies and rituals
stemming from shamanistic traditions, demonstrating respect for its strength
and qualities, as well as the hope of being able to achieve similar characteristics.
For some indigenous cultures, the native American wolf plays an important
part in the creation stories that are a part of their spiritual beliefs.
Perhaps, as time went on and the Europeans came and pushed the native Americans
out of lands that had been theirs for generations, the native Americans came
to feel an even greater affinity for the native American wolf, also pushed
out of its natural home, hunted and killed by the new westward pushing settlers.
In today’s native American art, it is common to see representations
of the native American wolf.
After being ruthlessly hunted almost into extinction, the native American
wolf has, in recent decades, begun to be reintroduced into the areas in which
it once roamed. As with the native peoples themselves, after years and
years of suffering the affects of the changes that the arrival of the Europeans
heralded, things are finally starting to look up again for the native American
wolf.
Joseph Paige © 2006
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