Rochelle Walton March 13, 2014 English 1102 Professor Walden

Shape-shifting/Skin-walker: Although shape-shifters and skin walkers are not the exact same

thing, they often get confused for each other. They are used interchangeably. Moonlight explains

how Native American tribes believe that a man can transform into a wolf through shape-shifting.

The Navajo tribe is most common for this belief although the term that they use is skin-walker.

The tribe believes that skin-walkers appearances are different from those who are not skin-

walkers. The Hopi tribe believes that shape-shifting can be brought on by ceremonies (Moonlight

2009). In the Navajo and Hopi tribe, skin-walker myths about humans becoming animals are

most common. These said skin-walkers are not werewolves however, but witches. The Navajo

believe that skin-walkers can read minds and imitate others voices to lure people to them. The

only way to get rid of a skin-walker is to pronounce their whole name from behind them, and

three days later they will die from the wrong they have committed (Neilson 2000). In many

Native American cultures and religions, a shape-shifter is a witch that can change it appearance

and take on animal characteristics. Almost all cultures have their own shape-shifter story, but the

most common is the werewolf. Other places such as Africa, India, and Egypt have their own

shape-shifters. All Nave American tribes have their own version of a shape-shifting story but

they all have the same root of a witch transforming into an animal. In the Navajo tribe believes

that skin-walkers use mind control to make humans harm or even kill themselves. (Kelleher

2014). Stypczynski speaks on how the fascination with shape-shifting has really evolved over the

years. This concept has crossed many cultures throughout history. It has been featured in many

pieces such as books, plays, and movies (Stypczynski 2008).

Rochelle Walton March 13, 2014 English 1102 Professor Walden

Werewolf: Is a person who transforms into a wolf. It is a mythical creature and usually changes

during a full moon. The Navajo and Hopi tribes have myths that are common to werewolves, the

skin-walkers, but these skin-walkers are believed to be witches instead of wolves (Neilson 2000).

The archetype of shape-shifter has evolved into a werewolf over the years (Stypczynski 2008).

Werewolves have been at the forefront of peoples minds as something to fear when

encountered. However from the past to now the fear of werewolves has begun to die down

(Regal 2010). Werewolves are uncommon in Native American tribes and the idea of werewolves

differs from the idea of shape-shifting in Native American legends. The European belief of a

werewolf is a man shape-shifting into a human killing beast howling at a full moon. Werewolves

are extremely unlikely in Native American tribes but they arent nonexistent (Neilson 2000).

Although the werewolf may be seen as a myth or a theme for a scary movie, shape-shifting and

skin-walkers are real to the Navajo tribe (Kelleher 2014).

Totem: A totem is an animal or person who is believed to have a spiritual and or power. The

wolf is seen as a totem in Native American tribes. The wolf is believed by Native Americans

tribes to be the spirit of protection (Moonlight 2009). Native Americans see the wolf as a way to

find ones inner self. The image of a wolf howling at the moon represents this inner knowing.

Tribes also believe that the wolf is their ancestor. Wolves in this generation are misunderstood

and how they are viewed has changed. Media and stories misrepresent them. They portray them

as horrible, dangerous creatures. The wolf in the Native American culture represents night. Night

is the time in which you are alone and dream, and can really find yourself. Native tribes believe

that the wolf teaches strength and teaches you how to face your fears. Wolves need sincerity.

Rochelle Walton March 13, 2014 English 1102 Professor Walden

Wolves are very intelligent, have excellent hearing, and express themselves through body

language. They arent the dangerous creatures that the media tries to portray them as. A wolfs

medicine is death and rebirth. They face death with dignity and courage (Woolcott 2014). For

Native Americans, totems are an identification. A tribe will contain qualities that correspond

with the totem that they have. The wolf is a totem of protection. The Shaman tribe use the wolf

to travel the dead and living world. They believe that it helps them heal the sick and gain

spiritual information. Native Americans have great respect for wolves and try to imitate their

hunting skills. They use wolf packs to teach their children about sticking together and mating.

Some tribe s believe that the wolf is a spirit which has the power to help the tribe as they deserve

it. Wolf dances and ceremonies are performed to call the wolf spirit upon the tribe (Neilson

2000).

Quileute: The Quileute tribe lives in Washington State on the reserve of La Push. There are only

about 750 tribal members left today. The Quileute tribe wasnt well known until Stephanie

Meyers, Twilight Series, brought acknowledgement to them. However the Quileute tribe doesnt

hold the shape-shifting power that the series assigns to them, their connection to wolves is

similar. The tribe believes that the wolves are their ancestors. According to their myths they

came from wolves not transform from them whenever they wish. Quileute legends have

characters that a lot of other cultures have (Quileute legends 2014). Although the Quileute tribe

does not have shape-shifters they do believe that they originated from wolves. According to their

myth, Qwati was walking through Quileute land and saw that there were no people so he found

two wolves and turn them into the Quileute people (A-Cit 2010).