In one legend from the Pima tribe, a coyote is told not to eat two things, he stumbles upon them, does so anyway, and then continues to die.1 It’s a short and simple story, however, the fact the coyote was chosen as the symbol of what not to do says a lot. The role of the coyote as an animal and in the legends of creation or tales of knowledge would not have differentiated easily for many. This is in part due to how mainstream these legends were in culture and how much dignity and respect was placed on them and the connection it gave to the land. When the coyote isn’t serving as a clue on how to do things or maybe what not to do, it is portrayed as a crucial figure in creation legends. In Crow legend titled “Coyote Creates the Earth”, the coyote is a main creator in the lands of Earth.1 Through the exploration of the rich tapestry of Native American legends in two different sub regions of the United States, it’s clear that these legends are not just campfire stories or tales that have been recorded in books; they serve as deeply personal reflections of cultural beliefs and values of indigenous people across the