Includes bibliographical references.

Once the most powerful indigenous nation in the southeastern United States, the Cherokees survive and thrive as a people nearly two centuries after the Trail of Tears and a hundred years after the allotment of Indian Territory. In Our Fire Survives the Storm, Daniel Heath Justice traces the expression of Cherokee identity in that nation’s literary tradition. Through cycles of war and peace, resistance and assimilation, trauma and regeneration, Cherokees have long debated what it means to be Cherokee through protest writings, memoirs, fiction, and retellings of traditional stories. Justice employs the Chickamauga consciousness of resistance and Beloved Path of engagement—theoretical approaches that have emerged out of Cherokee social history—to interpret diverse texts composed in English, a language embraced by many as a tool of both access and defiance. Justice’s analysis ultimately locates the Cherokees as a people of many perspectives, many bloods, mingled into a collective sense of nationhood. Just as the oral traditions of the Cherokee people reflect the living realities and concerns of those who share them, Justice concludes, so too is their literary tradition a textual testament to Cherokee endurance and vitality. Daniel Heath Justice is assistant professor of aboriginal literatures at the University of Toronto.

First Fire is an ageless Cherokee myth about the revered water spider in their culture. The story happens in a time when animals could do many of the things that people do. The Creator gave the animals the world to live on, but they were without a source for heat at night. Great Thunder and his sons saw the plight of the animals so he sent lightning down to strike a tree. The tree burst into flames but the tree was on an island. Many animals tried to bring the fire over the water to the shore, but they were all unsuccessful. One small creature, the Water Spider, then volunteered. Curious, the animals said to her “We know you could get there safely, but how would you bring the fire back without getting burned?” Water Spider was successful and to this day, the water spider is revered in Cherokee culture.

Rolling Thunder, the subject of this book, is a keeper of tribal secrets-a modern medicine man. After witnessing one of Rolling Thunder's healing rituals at a conference sponsored by the research department of the Menninger Foundation, Doug Boyd decided to open his mind fully to the mysteries of such secret healing powers as might be revealed to him. Boyd's book is an account by a contemporary white man of the inner experience of American Indians, an exploration into what some accept as the "real" world. To the believer or to the skeptic, Boyd's experiences form a penetrating and challenging story of a world that is little known to most Americans.

Practical, skeptical Grace McDaniel was not looking for romance. The Sheriff of Lake Bluff, Georgia, and the granddaughter of a Cherokee doctor, Grace’s hands are full with the daily trouble of small-town life. Arriving in the wake of a freak storm is Ian Walker, a mysterious stranger who blends modern medicine and traditional Native American cures. Even though she is wary of his ideas, Grace cannot resist what his touch awakens in her. But Ian is hiding a terrifying secret. And only he knows the truth about a creature stalking the citizens of Lake Bluff. A creature who preys on the dying…and then on the young, the living, the vibrant…Now, to save her people, Grace must put her faith in Ian’s haunting power and succumb to her wildest passions—before the rumble of thunder fills the air, and a relentless evil strikes again…

A Cherokee woman recounts to the young girl beside her the legend of the tricky Terrapin, who gets into a great deal of trouble with Bad Wolf and the Other Wolves over a little Kanahena, a cornmeal dish, and must use his wits to save himself.

The 'Native American Mythology' anthology represents a seminal collection of narratives that illuminate the rich tapestry of indigenous cultures across North America. The works within span a remarkable variety of literary styles, from the mythic to the historical, encapsulating the depth and diversity of Native American storytelling traditions. This compilation stands out not only for the breadth of its scope but also for its inclusion of significant pieces that showcase the intricate belief systems and cosmologies unique to different Native American communities, offering readers a comprehensive insight into the foundational stories that have shaped these cultures. The contributing authors and editors, including the likes of Lewis Spence and James Mooney, are renowned scholars and ethnographers whose lifework has significantly contributed to the preservation and understanding of Native American cultures. Their collective expertise lends the anthology an unmatched authenticity and scholarly diligence, aligning it with significant cultural and literary movements aimed at recognizing and celebrating indigenous narratives. The varied backgrounds of these contributors ensure a rich, multifaceted exploration of themes, from creation myths to hero tales, providing a panoramic view of the cultural heritage of Native American peoples. 'Readers of 'Native American Mythology' are offered an unparalleled journey into the heart of indigenous storytelling traditions, enriched by the diverse methodologies and perspectives of its contributors. This anthology is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the cultural narratives that have shaped and sustained Native American communities through time. It invites a thoughtful exploration of the complex interplay between myth, culture, and identity in indigenous societies, making it a must-read for scholars, students, and anyone with a keen interest in Native American heritage and storytelling practices.

This carefully edited historical collection has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. This study presents the myths, beliefs and customs of the indigenous peoples in North America. This collection is comprised of many bodies of traditional narratives associated with religion from a mythographical perspective. Contents: The Myths of the North American Indians Myths of the Cherokee Myths of the Iroquois A Study of Siouan Cults Outlines of Zuñi Creation Myths The Mountain Chant - A Navajo Ceremony

A collection of Native American stories arranged geographically.