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Native Languages of the Americas:
Yakama Legends and Traditional Stories
This is our collection of links to Yakama folktales and traditional stories that can be read online.
We have indexed our American Indian mythology 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 Yakamas, the traditional stories of
related tribes like the Walla Walla and
Umatilla tribes are very similar.
Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Yakama legend for this page or think one of the ones on here
should be removed, please let us know.
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Coyote (Spilyáy or Spilyay, in the Yakama language):
Coyote is the trickster figure of the Yakama tribe. As in other Plateau Indian mythology, Yakima stories
about Coyote range
from light-hearted tales of mischief and buffoonery to more serious legends about the nature of the world.
Yakima Creation:
Yakama myth about the creation of the world.
The Stick People:
Yakama legends about Ste-ye-hah'mah and the Little People.
The Tah-tah-kle'-ah (Owl-Woman Monster):
Yakama legend about how Owl killed a cannibal ogress.
Chinook Wind:
Yakima legends about the changing of the seasons.
Legend Of The Lost Salmon:
Yakama legend about learning proper respect for the salmon.
Tsi - Laan (Deep Water):
Yakima legend about the price of greed.
Little People of Oregon and Washington:
Stories about the legendary little people of the Yakama and other Northwestern tribes.
Recommended Books on Yakama Mythology
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links
Indian Legends of the Pacific Northwest:
Collection of legends and folktales from the Yakama and other northwestern tribes.
American Indian Trickster Tales:
Compilation of more than a hundred stories about Coyote and other Native American tricksters.
(Use discretion sharing these with kids as some of the stories contain adult humor.)
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Additional Resources
Yakama religion and expressive traditions
Facts about Indian religion
Yakama Nation
Yakama language
Washington State Native tribes
Columbia Plateau Native Americans
Penutian languages
Map of Native American reservations
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