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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).".
 
The stories above were found at the following website: http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~skywise/legends.html