Ktunaxa Legends

These legends are still told by the Ktunaxa (pronounced tun-a-ha’) or Kootenai people living in the Rocky Mountain region in Western Montana, Northern Idaho, and British Columbia. Coyote, or Skinkuc, is the main character of about half of these stories, which have been repeated by parents, grandparents, and elders since ancient times.

Through these stories, Ktunaxa children have learned never to waste any part of wild game or other food. They have learned respect for all of creation and a personal regard for all life. The experiences of Coyote show how greed, crooked dealings, and boundless appetite can cause trouble. The legends tell of the humanity, the spirit of all creation.

Illustrations by Ktunaxa artists appear on every page, adding to the tales’ appeal for readers of all ages. Carefully translated into English, the legends offer a glimpse into the history of story-telling and Ktunaxa Indian tradition.