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Native American Monsters of Myth and Legend

List of Native American Monsters from Various Tribes

Ice Cannibals

Witches

Ghosts

Serpents

Lake Monsters

Sea Monsters

Giants

Stiff-Legged Bear

Giant animals

Giant birds

Bigfoot

Vampires

Shape-Shifters

Little People

Mermaids

Nature Spirits

Names of Specific Native American Monsters

Aniwye

Apotamkin

Basket Woman

Chenoo

Culloo

Cipelahq

Deer Woman

Flying Head

Gitaskog

Giwakwa

Hairless Bear

Horned Serpent

Jipijkam

Gougou

Gugwe

Hiintcabiit

Loks

Man-Eater

Mashe-Nomak

Mhwe

Monster Bear

Monster Frog

Pamola

Pukjinskwes

Rougarou

Swamp-Woman

Skadegamutc

Stiff-Jointed Bear

Tagesho

Underwater Panthers

Wuchowsen

Weewillmekq

Windigo

A Sampling of Native American Monster Stories

An Abenaki Witch Story:
Abenaki Indian story about a man killed by the ghost of a witch.

The Girl-Chenoo:
Mi'kmaq Indian legend about a young woman transformed into a man-eating ice monster.

The Girl and the Chenoo:
Passamaquoddy Indian legend about the redemption of an ice monster.

Mashenomak, The Fish Monster:
The story of how the Menominee culture hero slew a man-eating lake monster.

Mashkussuts:
Innu legend about two bear cubs escaping from a monster.

Maminteu:
Innu legends about the people defending themselves against cannibal monsters.

Recommended Books about Monsters in Native American Mythology

When the Chenoo Howls: Native American Tales of Terror:
Collection of Native American monster stories from various tribes, told by Abenaki storyteller Joseph Bruchac.

Monsters and Magic: Myths of North and South America:
Children's book of illustrated American Indian monster folktales from many different tribes.

Monster Tales of Native Americans:
Another good collection of Native American monster legends.

The Field Guide to North American Monsters:
Entertaining book about monster folklore of Canada and the United States, including several Native American legends.

Fantastical Creatures and Magical Beasts

Monsters: Evil Beings, Mythical Beasts, and All Manner of Imaginary Terrors

Giants, Monsters, and Dragons:
Good compilations of monster myths from all over the world, including Native American monsters.

Back to Native American mythological figures
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