Indigenous languages
Native American cultures
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Native American Indian Legends and Folklore
This page is our collection of Native American folktales and traditional stories that can be read online.
We have indexed these stories tribe by tribe to make them easier to locate; however, variants on the same
native legend are often told by American Indians from different tribes, especially if those tribes are kinfolk or neighbors to
each other.
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As well as our collections of tribal legends and
legend archives, we also have several pages of comparative legends,
for the native stories of the Wabanaki tribes (including
the Micmac, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, and Abenaki tribes,) the
native stories of the Iroquois tribes (including the
Mohawk, Seneca, Oneida, Onondaga, and Cayuga tribes,) for the
native stories of the Anishinabe tribes (including the
Chippewa, Ottawa, Algonquin, and Potawatomi tribes,) and for the
native stories of the Algonquian tribes (including the
Wabanaki, Anishinabe, Menominee, Wampanoag, Shawnee, and Lenape tribes.)
Since this page features primarily the native myths and legends of
North American Indian tribes, we have also begun a separate collection of
Central and South American Indian legends
which may be interesting for purposes of comparison. And here is our own collection of
legend archives.
Note that since many children use this site, we have tried to avoid linking to any Native American legends or stories which
deal explicitly with sex or contain bad language, including slur words for Native Americans. However, like
the folklore of any culture -- including European fairy tales -- there is often violence and bad behavior in American
Indian folklore, so please use discretion about sharing them with younger children.
Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Native American legend for this page or think one of the ones on here
should be removed, please contact us and let us know.
Native American Folklore Indexes
Native American Mythological Characters
Native American Creation Myths
Native American Trickster Myths
Native American Animal Mythology
Native American Plant Mythology
Mythological Native American Places
Native American Monsters
Native American Heroes
Native American Nature Spirits
Native American Legends by Theme
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Recommended Books about American Indian Mythology
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American Indian Myths and Legends:
Well-attributed collection of Indian folktales and myths from many tribes.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of American Indian Mythology:
Comprehensive book about American Indian myth in North, Central, and South America.
The Mythology of Native North America:
Good overview of North American Indian mythology and folklore.
Voices of the Winds: Native American Legends:
A diverse collection of American Indian myths.
Mythology of North America
Mythology of South America Mythology of Mexico and Central America:
A good series of books about Native myths and legends throughout the Americas.
Algonquian Spirit:
Rich anthology of Woodland Indian stories, songs, and oral history.
Native American Legends of the Southeast:
Explanation of Native American mythology from the Creek, Cherokee, and other Southeastern tribes.
Indian Legends of the Pacific Northwest:
Native American myths and stories from the Northwest Coast tribes.
Native American Stories Native American Animal Stories Between Earth and Sky:
Children's books of American Indian lore from Native storyteller Joseph Bruchac.
Trickster: Native American Tales:
Collection of American Indian stories about trickster animals for kids.
Pacific Northwest Native art
Native American words
Native American tattoos
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