Amala is a mythological giant from the Native American Northwest Coast who upholds the Earth by balancing it on a spinning pole. He endures an annual ritual in which a servant applies wild duck‐oil to his muscles, relieving his immense strain. His eventual death, triggered by the extinction of wild ducks, is foretold to cause the collapse of the world.

Amala (mythology)

Bakwas is a supernatural spirit from Kwakwaka'wakw folklore known as the 'wild man of the woods'. He inhabits an invisible house in the coastal forests of British Columbia and lures stranded humans with ghost food offered in cockle shells. As the consort of dzunukwa and father to her children, Bakwas bridges the realms of the living and the ghost world.

Bakwas

Dzunukwa, also known as the Basket Ogress, is a fearsome figure from Kwakwaka'wakw and Nuu-chah-nulth mythology. She is depicted as a gigantic, cannibalistic ogress with a distinctive basket motif. Her terrifying visage serves as a cautionary symbol in indigenous folklore of the Pacific Northwest.

Dzunukwa

Gonakadet, also known as the Sea-Wolf or Wasgo, is a mythical creature in the Tlingit tradition of the Pacific Northwest Coast. It is a transformed human who can appear as either a formidable sea-monster or an impressive undersea dwelling. Sighting Gonakadet is believed to bring wealth and good fortune, reflecting its benevolent nature.

Gonakadet

The Haietlik is a legendary lightning serpent from Nuu-chah-nulth mythology, renowned for its association with thunderbirds and its role in whale hunts. It is depicted as a huge serpent with a knife-sharp head and a tongue capable of shooting lightning bolts. Dwelling either high among thunderbird feathers or in inland waters, it serves as both ally and weapon in indigenous lore.

Haietlik

Kushtaka, or Land Otter Man, is a mythological shape-shifting creature from Tlingit folklore. It is known for its ability to alternate between human and otter forms. Its deceptive nature and supernatural transformation abilities serve as a cautionary tale in Pacific Northwest indigenous traditions.

Kushtaka

The Sisiutl is a legendary double-headed sea serpent from the Indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest. It is featured prominently in Pacific Northwest art and is revered for its role as a mediator between the natural and supernatural worlds. The creature is closely linked to shamanic practices and holds significant cultural symbolism.

Sisiutl

The splintercat is a legendary nocturnal feline creature from United States folklore known for its ferocity and unique ability to fly. It is infamous for headbutting trees with such force that it strips branches and leaves behind ghost-like snags. Its unpredictable and foul temperament makes it a mysterious and cautionary figure in regional tales.

Splintercat

Winalagalis is a formidable war god revered by the Kwakwaka'wakw people of British Columbia. He is known for his global war-making exploits and his role as the bringer and ruler of the winter ceremonial, Tseka. His divine powers are exemplified by his fusion with a magical war canoe and the empowering rituals of his warrior dances.

Northwest Creatures