American Indian Myths & Legends

Native American Heritage Month

A selection of pivotal works by Indigenous authors.

From all across the continent come beautifully illustrated tales of creation and love, of heroes and war, of animals, tricksters, and the end of the world in a rich and lively panorama of the Native American mythic heritage.

With over one hundred stories selected by Alfonso Ortiz, an eminent anthropologist, and Richard Erdoes, an artist and master storyteller, this Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library edition is the most comprehensive and authentic volume of American Indian myths available anywhere.

More than 160 tales from eighty tribal groups gives us a rich and lively panorama of the Native American mythic heritage. From across the continent comes tales of creation and love; heroes and war; animals, tricksters, and the end of the world. In addition to mining the best folkloric sources of the nineteenth century, the editors have also included a broad selection of contemporary Native American voices.

With black-and-white illustrations throughout
Selected and edited by Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz
Part of the Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library

Alfonso Ortiz was a Native American scholar, anthropologist, activist and author. His works included, The Tewa World: Space, Time, Being and Becoming in a Pueblo Society.