The wolverine, rabbit, and spider represent three additional trickster symbols who have had a lasting impact on Native American mythology.
While the raven and the coyote represent two major trickster manifestations, there are other powerful symbols whose stories are just as important to native culture. The impact of these additional figures is evident in the way that they have remained so closely tied with native religion. It is important, however, to understand the diverse meaning of what the trickster represents. Very often, common historical analysis will present the trickster figure as a god or spirit. This is not an entirely thorough exploration of the trickster as a spiritual concept. While a strong part of the individual tribe’s cultural mythos, it cannot be likened to a deity as the diversity of trickster lore among the tribes transcends any singular interpretation. While some tribes view a trickster-symbol as a force for positive change, that same symbol may be viewed as a negative force by another tribe. The raven is one such example. Again, as with all other stories concerning the trickster, human emotions and motives power the trickster and precipitate his actions.
The figure of the wolverine, however, provides a striking contrast to the duel image of other trickster figures. In Native American mythology, the wolverine is viewed as a destructive force almost universally. According to Dena myth, Wolverine trapped two children in his home and fed them scraps from his large supply of food. When the children discovered the private stash of food, they ate it and confronted Wolverine. Angered at their actions, Wolverine declared that he was only keeping the food in preparation for the time when they were on their own in the world outside his den. Feeling betrayed, Wolverine declared that the children would now be scavengers and thieves for the rest of their lives. Another version of the story has a figure know as Traveler, a cultural hero figure among the Dena, coming to the rescue of the children and killing Wolverine and all but one of his daughters. Vowing revenge, Wolverine’s daughter subsequently declares that her decedents would plague man in his hunting endeavors by destroying traps and raiding hunting grounds for all the best prey.
Another animal symbol that has come to represent a powerful trickster figure is the rabbit—yes, the rabbit. With the rabbit trickster, there are two interpretations—one positive and helpful and the other devious and aggressive. Known as Cottontail to the Paiute tribe of Great Basin region, this rambunctious figure carried on a war with the North Wind. After seducing the daughter of his enemy, Cottontail then burned her alive with her brothers. Conversely, the Omaha tribe of Nebraska saw the rabbit trickster in a more positive light. According to Omaha myth the rabbit, known as Mastshingke, is a defender of early man. When the world was plagued by ferocious, man-eating bears and gargantuan snakes, Mastshingke arrived to show ancient man to safety. For this, he is viewed as a giver of life and protector of mankind.
The Sioux have a trickster named Iktomi, who is very often portrayed as spider—in some instances he is seen as a man with spider-like appendages. Iktomi is seen as mischievous and cunning but he also viewed as a great teacher. During a war between the ancient spirits, he played a small but important role. Iktomi convinced the daughter of a fellow spirit that her beauty rivaled that of the Moon and that she should seek to supplant Moon in the Sun’s affection. His plan worked and Sun and Moon were forever separated. By contrast, the Lakota Sioux tradition tells of a more benevolent encounter with Iktomi. Appearing before a Lakota holy man, Iktomi demonstrated a means through which the Sioux could catch their dreams. Spinning a web, he explained that the good dreams would be caught in the outer layers of the web while the bad dreams passed through the hole in the center. Thus was born the Dreamcatcher.
David M Jones and Brian L Molyneaux, Mythology of the American Nations. (London: Hermes House, 2006).
Gilbert Legay, Atlas of Indians. (Hauppage: Barron’s Educational Services, Inc., 1995)
Carl Waldman, Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes. (New York: Checkmark Books, 2006)
Carl Waldman, Atlas of the North American Indian. New York: 2000).
