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Native American Legends: Nitosi (Yedariye)

Name: Nitosi
Tribal affiliation: Dene
Alternate spellings: Niottsi, Ni-ottsi, Nioltsini, Nioltsi, Noltsi, Yedariyé, Yedariye, Yeddariye, Yuttoere
Pronunciation: Varies by language: nee-toss-ee, nee-ont-see, or nee-olth-tsee. Yedariye is pronounced yeh-dah-ree-yay.
Type: Creator god, high god, sky spirit
Related figures in other tribes: Utakké (Carrier), Nesaru (Arikara), Gitchie Manitou (Chippewa)

 Nitosi, or Yedariye, is the name of the great sky god of the Dene tribes. He is a benevolent creator spirit who will occasionally intervene to help people in distress. Yedariye means "He who lives on high," and Niottsi means "Creator."

Nitosi Stories

Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
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Chipewyan Tales:
    Collection of Chipewyan legends and folktales.

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Additional Resources

 Dene mythology
 Chipewyan language
 Chipewyan Indians
 Dene words
 Alberta First Nations tribes
 Subarctic Natives
 Athabaskan languages



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