Native American Giants of Myth and Legend

List of Native American Giants and Ogres in Various Tribes

Giants in Native American folklore are usually described as being 40-60 feet tall-- large enough to throw humans into a sack or burden basket the way a human hunter would do with rabbits. In a few cases Native American giants are described as being even more immense, being the size of the tallest pine trees (which works out to 150-200 feet) and catching whales the way humans catch fish.

Sponsored Links

Here is our collection of Native American legends and traditional stories about giants.

Names of Native American Giants from Various Tribes

Akaguagankak (Yup'ik Indian giant)

Asin (Alsea Indian giant)

Basket Ogress (Northwest Coast Indian giantess)

Big Owl Man (Apache Indian giant)

Caddaja (Caddo Indian giant)

Chenoo (Micmac Indian giant)

Cheveyo Kachina (Hopi Indian ogre)

Gray Giant (Navajo Indian giant)

Ice Giants (Algonquian Indian giants)

Kee-Wakw (Wabanaki Indian giant)

Kolowa (Creek Indian ogre)

Kuku (Wabanaki Indian giant)

Kukwes (Micmac Indian ogre)

Lofa (Chickasaw Indian ogre)

Maushop (Wampanoag Indian giant)

Mhwee (Lenape Indian giant)

Shampe (Choctaw Indian monster)

Stoneclad (Cherokee Indian giant)

Stone Coat (Iroquois Indian giant)

Wetucks (Narragansett Indian giant)

Windigo (Anishinabe Indian giant)

Winpe (Mi'kmaq Indian giant)

Witiko (Cree Indian giant)

Native American Giant Stories

When the Animals Left Lenapé Land:
Lenape Indian legend about a clan of giants that taught the people a lesson about respecting animals.

How Dogs Came To The Indians:
Legend of a friendly Ojibway Indian giant who gave the first dog to the people.

The Giants and the Flood:
Caddo myth about four deadly giants who nearly destroyed the world.

The Giant and the Four Wind Brothers:
Penobscot Indian story about the adventures of a friendly giant.

Recommended Books about Giants in Native American Mythology

Turkey and Gray Giant:
Bilingual picture book illustrating a Navajo Indian myth about a turkey's escape from a menacing giant.

The Hungry Giant of the Tundra:
Children's book based on Yup'ik Eskimo folktales about children who outwit cannibal giants.

Giants, Trolls, and Ogres:
Good kids' collection of giant stories from world mythology, including Native American and Inuit lore.

Back to Indian monsters
Back to American Indian mythology

Native American names Tunica Biloxi Indians Native American flute for sale War bonnet

Would you like to help support our organization's work with endangered American Indian languages?