Indigenous languages Native American cultures Native American heritage

Native American Poison Mythology

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

Native American Poison Gods and Spirits

Uktena (Cherokee)

How Poison Came into the World:
Choctaw legend about the origin of poison.

How the Rattlesnake Learned to Bite:
Pima legend about the origins of poison, death, and fire.

Coyote Challenges the Snake:
Caddo legend about Snake's poison helping him to win a fight with Coyote.

Soft Child:
Children's book illustrating a Southwest Indian legend about how rattlesnakes became poisonous.