Skinwalkers A Native American Legend
Skinwalkers A Native American Legend
Spirits of the Dark
The General Story of the Dark Spirits
Summary from all tribes
Since the beginning of Indigenous People, stories have been passed down from generation to generation. Myths, legends, and the coming of their people. Some stories are meant to be enjoyed, and some are used as lessons. Many tribes in the United States use the legend of Skinwalkers as a way of telling children to respect the spirits. There are good and bad spirits, Skinwalkers are ones not to be messed with.
In Native culture, Skinwalkers are believed to be individuals with the supernatural ability to transform into animals or other people. These beings are often associated with malevolence and are said to use their powers for harmful purposes. Due to the sensitive and sacred nature of these beliefs, discussions about Skinwalkers are typically avoided, and the subject is not used as a means to express values or convey cultural identity.
Further Research
This website takes a look at different versions of the legend of Skinwalkers from different tribes.
The Skinwalkers are one of the legends many tribal elders used to teach the importance of letting the spirits have their own time when needed. We, the living, have the daytime to roam and to be free, but the nighttime is for the spirits, and in the night the dark comes out, if they’re called. We’re taught not to whistle once daybreak hits as this is how we call those unwanted spirits here.
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The story I listened to as a child came from my tribe, The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Oregon. The story from our tribe is similar to surrounding tribes around us on the West Coast.
Coastal Version
In the sixth grade, I attended a Spring Break camp run by my tribe. It was a 3-day camp full of all sorts of fun. Each night before bed, they offered various activities for free time. My favorite was to always go into the rec center for stories. TÊ°at (uncle) Chris has always told the best stories about myths from our people. That first year at spring break camp is when I first heard the story of the Skinwalkers.
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He began by telling us the simple rules of the night, there are only two to follow when nightfall hits. 1. Don't whistle, and 2. Don't look outside the window at night because you don't know what could be looking back at you. These are the things that attract the wrong kind of spirits. We have the daytime to roam, at night it's their time. If you decide not to follow the rules, you will attract one. They will begin to watch you, your every move, how you act, react, everything. They will stock you until they feel like they are ready to become you, once they are, they take you. They carefully take your skin off to wear as their own to be you. They will act as you while looking for their next prey.
The Diné Legend and Comparison
The Diné legend of Skinwalkers amongst other Southwest tribes is similar to the one from the West Coast. Their legend knows these spirits were former humans who can now shapeshift into different animals. While being able to look like the animals, they also possess every characteristic the animal has.
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Coastal people believe Skinwalkers can become anything they wish to. These spirits are smart and know what they want to do to disrupt the living just as we've disrupted them. Most spirits wish for peace, so when it's not granted peacefully they will find another way to gain it.
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Few Natives want to cross paths with a Skinwalker. We normally don't speak openly about skinwalkers---especially with strangers---because it might invite evil witch attention. After all, a stranger who asks questions about skinwalkers might be one himself, looking for his next victim. Having this information though can help prevent ever coming across one. So, don't forget to follow the rules of the night. There are only two, so it shouldn't be hard.
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Bibliography
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Sarris, Greg. 1993. Keeping Slug Woman Alive The Challenge of Reading in a Reservation Classroom University of California Press
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Wills, Matthew. 2023 Native Origin Stories As Tools of Conquest JSTOR Daily
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Alford, Peggy E. 2022. “Anglo-American Perceptions of Navajo Skinwalker Legends”. Contemporary Legend 2 (July):119-36.
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Basso, Keith. 1984. “Stalking with Stories”: Names, Places, and Moral Narratives among the Western Apache Actions" In Text, Play, and Story: The Construction and Reconstruction of Self and Society, edited by Edward Bruner, 19-55. Washington, D.C.: American Ethnological Society.
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Unknown. 2018. The Terror of the Skinwalker- The Native American Boogyman River City Ghosts