Yellowstone: A Sacred, Secret Land
Early American explorers spread the misconception that Native Americans feared Yellowstone and viewed it as a land of devils. This lie was used to convince potential investors and travelers that “Indian trouble” would be rare or nonexistent.
Native American tribes had used the lands of Yellowstone for thousands of years. Many viewed it as sacred, and some used it for vision quests or other ceremonies. However, Native American groups kept particularly silent about the myths and legends regarding Yellowstone, likely because they mistrusted the white guys who were so eagerly “exploring” their ancestral territory.
Many legends have survived, though some are difficult to verify as authentic. One of the most interesting (and most difficult to verify) is of a Flathead story where a mystic prophesied about Yellowstone: “In generations to come this place around here will be a treasure of the people. […] And voices will be heard here, in different languages, in the generations to come.”
The Spilled Basket and Yellowstone River
A Shoshone story tells us the origin of the Yellowstone river: Long ago, there was no river in Yellowstone. Then came Coyote, the trickster from the south, and high on a mountain he came upon an old lady with a basket full of water and fish; Coyote did not know it, but the old lady was Mother Earth. Coyote asked her for food, and she agreed to feed him on the condition that he not touch her basket.
But Coyote had not listened and was not careful. He stepped on the edge of her basket and it spilled. The water and fish poured out—and kept pouring. Coyote chased the water and built a dam, but the water toppled over it (what is now the Upper Falls). Coyote built another dam, but the water flowed toppled over it too (what is now the Lower Falls). The water rushed on and became the Yellowstone river.
The Beasts in the Geysers
A Crow legend tells us of the geysers. A Crow brave named “Old Woman’s Grandchild” fought many fearsome beasts in the lands of Yellowstone. When he had defeated them, he turned them into mountains and hills.
Old Woman’s Grandchild fought a mighty buffalo who breathed out great gusts of smoke from his nostrils when he charged. When Old Woman’s Grandchild defeated him, he turned him into a mountain that blew out great bursts of water. Then Old Woman’s Grandchild defeated a great lion whose roar caused similar bursts, and he placed the lion near the buffalo so the buffalo would not be able to return to life without being eaten.
The Thunderbird, the Crow, and the Steam Vents
A thunderbird grabbed a Crow Indian by his hair and took him to “Overlook Mountain” and placed him in a nest. The thunderbird told the Crow that he wanted him to help him fight the giant water beast that lived in Yellowstone Lake and which ate the thunderbird’s young. The Crow built a large fire to heat rocks which he could use to boil the water.
When the beast came out of the lake and climbed up the mountainside, the Crow pitched hot rocks and hot water into its mouth. Steam came out of the monster’s mouth and it tumbled d own the mountainside and into the lake. Thereafter, the beast’s steaming mouth and heated body caused the landscape to erupt in hot springs and steam vents.
The Gateway of the Dragon’s Mouth
A Kiowa legend tells us that when Doh Ki (the Great Spirit) made the world, he didn’t make a homeland for the Kiowa. However, Doh Ki promised them he would give them a homeland if they would travel through a desolate volcanic place.
The Kiowa people did so, and they came upon a great hot-spring (now called “Dragon’s Mouth Spring”). Doh Ki told the people that the promised land would be given to whomever dove into the pool. The Kiowa people were frightened, but Kahn Hayn (one of the greatest Kiowas who ever lived) dove into the pool.
When he hit the water, his body was scorched, and soon he lost consciousness. His fellow Kiowas pulled him from the water, and when his eyes opened again he saw the land around him was transformed: It was covered in forests and streams, and overflowed with wild beasts. This is Yellowstone as we know it today.
If you enjoyed this content, pay attention for my full essay on the topic which explores Native American mythology, tall tales, and other stories surrounding Yellowstone.
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