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Native American Legends: Old Man Coyote (Akba Atatdia)
Name: Old Man Coyote
Tribal affiliation: Crow
Also known as: First Coyote, First Maker, Old Man
Native names: Akba Atatdia, Akbaatatdia, Isaahka, Isaahkawuattee, Baakukkule, Iichikbaaalee
Pronunciation: ock-bah ah-tot-dee-ah
Type: Native Creator,
high god,
coyote spirit
Related figures in other tribes: Napi (Blackfoot),
First Maker (Hidatsa),
Earth Maker (Hochunk)
Coyote played the role of both Creator and trickster in Crow mythology.
In some versions of the Crow creation myth there were actually two Coyotes, the Old Man Coyote
who created people, animals, and the earth, and a regular Coyote who had adventures and got into
trouble. In other versions, they were one and the same.
Old Man Coyote Stories
Old Man at the Beginning Old Man Coyote Makes The World:
Crow myths about the creation of the world.
Recommended Books of Related Native American Legends
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From the Heart of the Crow Country:
Crow legends, traditional stories, and oral history narrated by a tribal elder.
Myths and Traditions of the Crow Indians:
Classic collection of Crow legends and folklore.
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Additional Resources
Crow gods
Crow Indian language
Crow tribe
Montana Native Americans
Great Plains region
Crow words
Siouan words
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