Native American Folklore & Mythology

The following are stories that explain the creation of the stars,
universe and constellations, as told by the North American Native
People. As you will notice, different tribes have different stories
and interpretations of the constellations. Some of the stories you
may find to be silly and funny; others are more serious. All the
stories presented below represent the imagination and creativity of
the Native Americans. "The Canoe Race" Region: Southwest Washington
See map! Tribe: Chinook Constellation/Star: Orion See
Constellation! "A big canoe (Orion's belt) and a small canoe
(Orion's dagger) are in a race to catch a salmon in the Big River
(Milky Way). The little canoe is winning the race. Can you tell
which star is the fish?" "Maui's Hook" Region: South Pacific See
map! Tribe: Polynesian Constellation/Star: Scorpius See
Constellation! "Maui was a powerful god but a poor fisherman. One
day he went fishing and snagged his hook (Scorpius) and line on the
bottom of the sea and thought he had a fish. He pulled hard but
instead of catching a fish, he caught the Hawaiian Islands!" "The
Grizzly Bear" Region: Wyoming & Southern Idaho See Map! Tribe:
Shoshoni Constellation/Star: Cygnaus & The Milky Way See
Constellation! "A grizzly bear (Cygnus) went hunting one day and
climbed a tall mountain. As he climbed, the snow and ice clung to
the fur on his feet and legs. As he crosses the sky the ice crystals
trail behind him creating the Milky Way." "Elk Skin" Region: Central
Washington See Map! Tribe: Yakima Constellation/Star: Cassiopeia See
Constellation! "A hunter killed a great elk and stretched the skin
to dry. He made holes in the skin with wooden stakes. After the skin
sat in the sun and dried, he threw the skin up into the sky. The
light shines through the stake holes creating the stars
(Cassiopeia).".