The Ya-Native Podcast

Explore the intriguing Northwest Coast legend of Boqs, a supernatural being who embodies both fear and reverence. Discover how Boqs interacts with the Haida people, teaching lessons about respect, bravery, and the balance between humanity and nature. This tale delves into the cultural significance of Boqs and the enduring impact of this mysterious figure on the Haida way of life. For more details,...

In this episode, we delve into the Great Plains legend of "The First Fire." Discover how the trickster Iktomi and other animals collaborated to bring fire to the people, facing numerous challenges along the way. This story highlights themes of ingenuity, cooperation, and the significance of fire in Native American culture. For more details, visit the full story . Do you have any suggesti...

Join us as we explore the sacred legend of the Chanunpa, the sacred pipe of the Lakota people. Learn how White Buffalo Woman brought the Chanunpa and taught its profound spiritual significance, emphasizing unity, respect, and the deep connection between the earth and the sky. Discover how this sacred pipe continues to be a cornerstone of Lakota spirituality and tradition. For more details, visit t...

In this episode, we delve into the Abenaki legend about the importance of dreaming. Learn how the Great Spirit's dreams led to the creation of the world and its creatures, teaching us that dreams hold profound meaning and guide our understanding of life. This story emphasizes the significance of respecting and valuing our dreams. For more details, visit the full story . Do you have any sugges...

In this episode, we explore the fascinating Southwestern legend of "The Emergence." Follow the journey of the first people as they ascend through four different worlds, guided by the Great Spirit. Learn how they overcame challenges and finally reached the surface, where they divided into groups and set out on unique paths. This tale highlights themes of perseverance, guidance, and the si...

In this episode, we explore the Shoshone creation legend. Discover how Coyote, a key figure in Shoshone mythology, encounters mysterious women, survives trials, and ultimately plays a pivotal role in the birth of the Shoshone people. Join us for an engaging journey through this ancient tale that highlights themes of cunning, survival, and the origins of a proud tribe. For more details, visit the f...

Join us as we delve into the captivating Apache creation legend. Discover how the world transformed from darkness to light, and how a courageous boy named Apache, with guidance from the Great Spirit, battled a fearsome dragon to protect his people. This story is a testament to bravery, wisdom, and the origins of the Apache tribe. For more details, visit the full story . Do you have any suggestions...

Here's a short Legend that may interest you. The Chelan Indians' legend describes how the Creator made the world, animals, and birds. He promised to return and create humans, but delayed due to the animals' complaints. The Beaver was cleansed in water and later divided into twelve parts by Youngest Wolf Brother, forming different tribes. The story also explains how these tribes lear...

The story of Hiawatha on Ya-Native.com describes his role in the formation of the Iroquois Confederacy. Hiawatha, a leader among the Onondaga, suffered great personal loss and found guidance in the Peacemaker, Deganawida. Together, they traveled to various Iroquois nations, spreading the message of unity, peace, and democracy. Hiawatha's efforts led to the creation of the Great Law of Peace,...

The Cherokee legend of the Little People describes small, spiritual beings living in rock caves. They are kind-hearted and enjoy music, but do not like to be disturbed. There are three types: the mischievous Laurel People, the vengeful Rock People, and the benevolent Dogwood People. Each group teaches lessons about respect, joy, and selfless help. The legend includes a story about a boy, Forever B...

Originally, the prophecies were given by eight prophets in seven different time periods. According to oral tradition, all Algonquian nations located in the Wabanaki heard the first prophet. The remaining seven prophets appeared before and were recorded by the Anishinaabeg. A prophecy of each of these seven periods were then called a “fire”. The teachings of the Seven fires prophecy also state that...

This his how ceremonies started among us for the curing of sick people. Long, long ago, the earth was made. Then the One Who Made the Earth also planned for each person to have a piece of land that he could live on and call his own. Do you have any suggestions? Support the show Thank you for your continuing support. This Podcast is another tool for the Ya-Native Network, This may be the last stage...

A Great Flood had occurred upon Earth long, long ago. While Earth was still covered with water, there were no living creatures upon the land. Then out of the sky one day glided an enormous Eagle with a black Crow riding upon its back, searching for a place to light. Around and around Eagle flew until he discovered a projecting tree stump, or what appeared to be a stump, upon which he landed to res...

Animals, elements, the solar system, and natural phenomena are revered by the Apaches. That which is beyond their understanding is always ascribed to the supernatural. In the beginning nothing existed--no earth, no sky, no sun, no moon, only darkness was everywhere. Suddenly from the darkness emerged a thin disc, one side yellow and the other side white, appearing suspended in midair. Within the d...

Once many generations ago, the people had drums, gourd rattles, and bull-rorers, but no flutes. At that long-ago time, a young man went out to hunt. Meat was scarce, and the people in his camp were hungry. He found the tracks of an elk and followed them for a long time. The elk, wise and swift, is the one who owns the love charm. If a man possesses Elk Medicine, the girl he likes can't help s...

Once upon a time, before the white men drove them away to Oklahoma, the Pawnee Indians lived in Nebraska, where their sworn enemies were the Sioux. There they lived all the time in villages, where they were skilled farmers and potters. In one of the Pawnee villages lived a poor woman with her grandson Ku-suk-seia, which means 'left-hand'. She was a helpful old soul, and the boy was pleas...

Lacrosse was a gift to us from the Creator, to be played for his enjoyment and as a medicine game for healing the people. The Haudenosaunee people know that all creatures, no matter how big or small, are significant and have a contribution to make to the overall cycle of life. Long ago we were told the following story about a great ball game that took place between the four-legged animals and the...

Out of the plains of Wyoming rises Devil's Tower. It is really a rock, visible for a hundred miles around, an immense cone of basalt which seems to touch the clouds. It sticks out of the flat prairie as if someone had pushed it up from underground. Of course, Devil's Tower is a white man's name. We have no devil in our beliefs and got along well all these many centuries without him....

At the beginning, when the Earth was fresh and new, the Great Spirit, sent down His Raven to enjoy this new creation. As Raven soared down from cloud to cloud he began to take the color of the snow crystals that touched his wings, each crystal being different, like the creation on the earth. The Great Spirit told him, you will be like the snow flakes you have gathered on your wings, a part of ever...

Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice. You lived first, and you are older than all need, older than all prayer. All things belong to you -- the two-legged, the four-legged, the wings of the air, and all green things that live. You have set the powers of the four quarters of the earth to cross each other. You have made me cross the good road and ro...

Great Creator, I come before you in a humble manner and offer you this sacred pipe. With tears in my eyes and an ancient song from my heart I pray.  To the four powers of Creation,  To the Grandfather Sun,  To the Grandmother Moon,  To the Mother Earth,  And to my ancestors.  I pray for my relations in Nature,  All those who walk, crawl, fly, and swim,  Seen and unseen,  To the good spirits that e...

Whenever you dance, wherever you dance, dance to heal the earth! Dancing is power. Dancing is prayer. Some say that all is dance. Maybe. Now there's a big dance coming, a dance to heal the earth. If you're reading this, you're probably part of it. You take part whenever you do whatever you do to help heal the earth. When you recycle. When you choose to show love, to fight for justic...

Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle. The sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same, and both are round. Even the seasons form a great...

Children are gifts of the Creator and of ourselves. By raising them to the best of our ability, we are reciprocating that gift and showing our thankfulness for life and for the blessings of the Great Spirit. This requires much time, love, forgiveness, and understanding on the part of the parents and grandparents-- but the rewards for the child (and for the community as a whole) are immeasurable. A...

Let us know peace. For as long as the moon shall rise, For as long as the rivers shall flow, For as long as the sun shall shine, For as long as the grass shall grow, Let us know peace.  Do you have any suggestions? Support the show Thank you for your continuing support. This Podcast is another tool for the Ya-Native Network, This may be the last stage to share our ideas openly. Podcasting and vide...