Native Languages of the Americas:
Inuit Legends, Myths, and Stories

This is our collection of links to Inuit folktales and traditional stories that can be read online. We have indexed our Indigenous American legends section by tribe to make them easier to locate; however, variants on the same legend are often told by Native Americans from different tribes, especially if those tribes are kinfolk or neighbors to each other. In particular, though these legends come from the Inuits, the traditional stories of related tribes like the Aleut and Yup'ik tribes are very similar.

Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend a Inuit legend for this page or think one of the ones on here should be removed, please let us know.

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Important Inuit Mythological Figures

Click on each character's name for more detailed information about his or her role in Inuit/Eskimo mythology.

Sedna (also known as Sanna, Nerrivik, Nuliajuq, and many other regional names): The Inuit goddess of the sea. In most Inuit myths, Sedna was once a mortal woman who was became ruler of the underworld when her father sacrificed her by throwing her overboard to drown. The first sea mammals were said to be created from Sedna's severed fingers.

Inuit Myths

Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo:
    Collection of Inuit legends and stories.
Eskimo Folktales:
    Online book of Inuit folklore.
World Parent Myths:
    Comparison of Huron, Cree, and Igluik Inuit creation myths.
Sedna, Mistress of the Underworld:
    Legend about the early life of the Inuit goddess Sedna.
Inuit Creation Tale  Crow Brings Daylight  The Origin of Light:
    Inuit stories about Raven's birth and the creation of light.
The First Woman:
    Inuit myth in which the god Raven creates the first woman.
Sun Sister and Moon Brother:
    Origin of the sun and moon in Inuit mythology.
Why The Stars Are In The Sky:
    Eskimo myths about the stars and planets.
Legends and Folklore of the Northern Lights:
    Aurora Borealis stories from the Inuit, Kwakiutl, and Tlingit, and Algonquin tribes.
Story of Ángángujuk:
    Eskimo legend about a kidnapped child.
Story of Angutisugsuk:
    Eskimo legend about a family bewitched into fighting each other.
Story of Anarteq:
    Eskimo myth about a man who became a salmon spirit.
Unnatural Uncle:
    Kodiak Eskimo legend about a boy who defeated his wicked uncle.
The Fox Wife:
    Inuit legend about a man who married a fox.
The Eagle and Whale Husbands:
    Legend about Inuit women who married animals.
The Woman and Her Bear:
    Eskimo legend about a woman who adopted a polar bear.
How Fox Saved the People:
    Fox saves the Inuit from a famine, and Raven learns a lesson.
Eskimo Story Of Owl And Raven:
    Inuktitut legend of how Raven became black.
Kiviuk:
    The adventures of the supernatural Inuit hero Kiviuk.
Kaujjagjuk  The Boy With Enormous Nostrils:
    Inuit legend about an abused boy's revenge.
Native Alaskan Stories:
    Eight Ahtna, Tlingit, and Eskimo legends presented by a Native Alaskan educational organization.

Recommended Books on Inuit Mythology

Tales of Ticasuk: Eskimo Legends and Stories:
    Collection of traditional stories told by an Inuit author.
The Polar Bear Son:
    Charming picture book based on an Inuit legend about a woman who adopts a bear cub.
Northern Lights: The Soccer Trails:
    Picture book for children about the importance of the Northern Lights to Inuit (Eskimo) spirituality.
A Treasury of Eskimo Tales:
    A classic collection of Inuit legends and folktales.
Sedna: Goddess of the Sea:
    Book of stories about the life and deeds of the Inuit sea goddess Sedna.
Go Home, River:
    Children's book by an Alaska Native author illustrating an Inupiat child learning traditional lessons about the water cycle.
Whale Snow:
    Children's book depicting the importance of whales to traditional Inuit culture.
The Deetkatoo:
    Great collection of traditional tales about little people from the Inuit and Native American tribes.