Kalispel Legends

Kalispel legends are Salish legends.

Common Characters Found in Salish Legends

Coyote – The trickster figure of the Kalispel, Spokane, and Flathead Salish legends. Coyote is foolish and boastful. Sories about him are often humorous in nature; however, he is a well-meaning creature who usually acts for the good of humankind. Coyote frequently dies in the course of his adventures, often in humorous ways, but each time his patient friend Fox (by some accounts his brother) restores him to life.

Giants – There are many giants in the Kalispel legends.

Wild Men or Stick Indians -A race of tall Indians, called “wild” or “stick” Indians, was said to wander through the forests. In general conversation they were referred to as tsiatko although another term, steta’l, from ta’l, spear, could also be applied to them. Also called Seatco.

Similar to the modern day Big Foot. Occasionally, they stole children or adolescents and carried them off to act as wives or as slaves. Seatco tales were used to scare disobedient children.

Kalispel Legends:

• The Creation of the World
• The First People
• The Coming of the White Man
• The Battle of the Gods
• The Story of Coyote
• The Story of Eagle
• The Story of Bear
• The Story of Snake
• The Story of Water Monster
• The Story of Thunderbird
• The Story of the Sun
• The Story of the Moon
• The Story of the Stars
• The Story of the Earth
• The Story of the Sky
• The Story of the Medicine Man
• The Story of the Warrior
• The Story of the Love Triangle
• The Story of the Jealous Husband
• The Story of the Brave Hunter
• The Story of the Wise Woman
• The Story of the Trickster
• The Story of the Two Brothers
• The Story of the Talking Fish
• The Story of the Lost Child
• The Story of the Magic Canoe
• The Story of the Grateful Buffalo
• The Story of the Wise Old Woman
• The Story of the Trickster and the Crow
• The Story of the Trickster and the Salmon
• The Story of the Trickster and the Bear
• The Story of the Trickster and the Coyote