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Native Languages of the Americas:
Tlingit Legends and Traditional Stories

This is our collection of links to Tlingit folktales and traditional stories that can be read online. We have indexed our Native American tales section by tribe to make them easier to locate; however, variants on the same legend are often told by American Indians from different tribes, especially if those tribes are kinfolk or neighbors to each other. In particular, though these legends come from the Tlingit tribe, the traditional stories of related tribes like the Haida and Tsimshian are very similar.

Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Tlingit legend for this page or think one of the ones on here should be removed, please contact us and let us know.

Important Tlingit Mythological Figures

Raven: Raven is the culture hero of the Tlingit and other Alaskan Indian tribes. He is a revered and benevolent transformer figure who helps the people and shapes their world for them, but at the same time, he is also a trickster character and many Tlingit stories about Raven have to do with his frivolous or poorly thought out behavior getting him into trouble.

Property Woman: A spirit woman with curly hair who brings prosperity to anybody who catches sight of her.

Tlingit Indian Folklore

*Tlingit Myths and Texts:
    Online book about the mythology of the Tlingit tribe.
*Tlingit Creation Story: * Raven:
    Tlingit myths about the life and deeds of Raven.
*How Mosquitos Came To Be:
    Tlingit folktale about the origin of mosquitoes.
*The Woman Who Married The Bear:
    Tlingit legend of the Bear Mother.
*Katlian and the Iron People:
    Early 19th-century legend of a brave Tlingit chief's encounters with the Russians.
*Inviting The Bears:
    Tlingit legend about a man who threw a feast for the bear people.
*The Star Shooter * The Arrow Chain:
    Tlingit stories about a boy who rescued his friend from the moon.
*Raven and the Tides:
    Tlingit myth about the origin of the tides.
*The Woman Who Married A Frog:
    Tlingit legend about a woman turned into a frog for her vanity.
*Natsilane:
    Tlingit legend about the origin of the killer whale.
*Beaver and Porcupine:
    Tlingit legend about a friendly rivalry between two animals.
*Native Alaskan Stories:
    Eight Ahtna, Tlingit, and Eskimo legends presented by a Native Alaskan educational organization.

Recommended Books on Tlingit Mythology

Haa Shuka, Our Ancestors:
    Collection of Tlingit legends and oral narratives.
The Sea Monster's Secret:
    Picture book based on Tlingit legends about a man who becomes a Gunakadeit to feed his village.
The Frog Princess:
    Picture book of a Tlingit folktale about a girl who married a frog.
How Raven Stole the Sun:
    Children's book illustrating the Tlingit myth about Raven bringing sunlight to the world.
Heroes and Heroines of Tlingit-Haida Legend:
    Excellent anthology of Tlingit and Haida legends.
Myths and Legends of Alaska:
    Collection of folklore from the Tlingit and other Alaskan tribes.
American Indian Trickster Tales:
    Compilation of more than a hundred stories about Raven and other Native American tricksters.
    (Use discretion sharing these with kids as some of the stories contain adult humor.)

Additional Resources

 Tlingit religion and expressive traditions
 Books of Native American legends
 Native religions
 Tlingit words
 Alaska Indians
 Northwest Coast Natives
 Northwest art exhibition
 Athapaskan languages
 Tlingit culture
 Native Americans history



Back to Native gods and goddesses
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Learn more about the Tlingit Indians.



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