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Native American Stories About Politeness

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

Legends About Politeness

*How Glooskap Changed Saucy Indians into Rattlesnakes:
    Passamaquoddy folktale about the culture hero punishing insolent men by turning them into rattlesnakes.
*The Mother of Serpents:
    Passamaquoddy story about a witch who cursed a woman who was impolite to her.
*The Merry Tales of Lox, The Mischief-Maker:
    A long Wabanaki epic about Lox the Wolverine, including Lox being killed for his inability to be polite to those he asks for help.
Chipmunk and Bear:
    An Iroquois legend about Chipmunk being punished for his impoliteness.
*The Seagull and the Whiskey Jacks:
    Chapleau Cree story about polite birds being favored over impolite ones.
*Respect:
    Oral history from a Dene elder illustrating the traditional value of politeness and respect.

Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
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Turtle's Race With Beaver:
    Lively children's book illustrating a Seneca legend about Beaver learning a lesson about being polite to other animals.
How Chipmunk Got His Stripes:
    Another good picture book illustrating a Woodlands Indian legend about Chipmunk being punished for his impolite behavior.



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