Native American
Southwestern USA

Coyote: The Navajo God

The Milky Way was created by the mischievous behavior of the god, Coyote. When the world was created, Holy people gathered around the Black God and placed stars in the sky. Coyote got annoyed because of the slow speed of the process. He angrily put a red star, called Ma'iio in the south. Ma'iio means "The one who roams." This star represents Coyote and only appears in the sky a short time during the year. The star is a symbol of trouble to the Navajo people. Coyote was still displeased with the slowness, so he poured a bag of stars on the Holy People, creating the Milky Way.

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Drawing and Text: Garrett C., Santan JHS
Background: Ryan, Lower Canada College

Citation: http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mythology/coyote milkyway.html 12/15/06