Skinwalkers, Wendigos, and the Witchery Way

by Kellen on October 27, 2013
Western History Collection

Just in time for Halloween!

As myths and legends of monsters and ghouls have been perpetuated through the ages, it is interesting to note that many do not have American origins. But there are some hellish legends that do. Like I discussed in my last blog, the Wendigo is a myth that originated in this country and has been passed down for generations amongst Native Americans. The legend of the Wendigo always held a great deal of realism to me more so than any goofy vampire, mummy, or Frankenstein’s Monster. The idea that one could suffer demonic possession after cannibalizing another human frightened me to the core. And the fact that, after suffering this possession, the demon could look, walk, and act like a human was truly frightening. Indian tribes believed that when one was possessed by the Wendigo they would crave human flesh. And when they partook of this ghastly meal they would steal a person’s “essence” and inherit their strength. The more these demons ate the more powerful they would become almost achieving immortality. Real cannibals have always existed in this country and they have taken many forms from Alferd Packer to Jeffery Dahmer. These men moved amongst the general public devouring human flesh with complete impunity.

Western Indian tribes also believed in supernatural beings known as Skinwalkers. The Navajo tribe especially believed that these Skinwalkers were shape-shifters who could assume the form of any animal which allowed them to travel quickly and gave them the ability to hide in plain sight. Specifically, a person is said to gain the power to become a Skinwalker upon initiation into the Witchery Way. The initiation into the Witchery Way involved murdering a close relative, especially a sibling; other crimes also associated with it were necrophilia, and grave-robbing. Once one has been initiated into the Witchery Way they become “pure evil.” It is interesting to note that in the Native culture most witches were male not female.

So as Halloween approaches with all its devilish delight, take a second look at that neighbor of yours you always suspected of being a little strange. Perhaps he is truly a Wendigo lurking in the night. Or maybe, just maybe, the family dog or cat is actually a Skinwalker in disguise. Whatever the case, lock your doors, stay up late, and have a Happy Halloween!

Submitted by raindancer17 (not verified) on Tue, 09/03/2019 - 15:32

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so is there any stories or legends of skin walker spawns or half breeds? is for how might one find these legends or stories?

Hi, Here is a link to some books that might be what you are looking for.
https://www.amazon.com/Skinwalker-Witchcraft-Related-Spiritual-Phenomena/dp/0965601404

I live out in Arizona and I saw a light on the ground and then it moved on feet then it started disapearing but another time I head screaming at midnight4:00 and saw something white out my window

Wow ,I have seen some pretty horrifying things, but the most horrifying thing i have ever seen was the little girl in the ditch, her whole body was covered in blood and her left shoulder had been ripped off as if someone or something bit it off. I had night mires for days after that, i couldn't even sit with out shaking.

Wow ,I have seen some pretty horrifying things, but the most horrifying thing i have ever seen was the little girl in the ditch, her whole body was covered in blood and her left shoulder had been ripped off as if someone or something bit it off. I had night mires for days after that, i couldn't even sit with out shaking.

The term "half breed" is derogatory. I am mixed and mixed Indigenous as well I would never call you a derogatory term so refrain from calling us that. No matter if we are mixed or full we are all Indigenous.

There is actually no full blooded anything on the planet. People are more generalized into areas and cultures. There is no full blood indigenous or European or African. As we are all made up of different people from different areas throughout time. There isn't even a pure human as everyone has different mixtures of Neanderthal, and other early humanoids. And if you don't put any value to others negative words and actions then they have no power over. If someone calls you a half breed don't get upset that's what those individuals want from you, instead ask them what full breed they come from I'm sure you would get answer with more than one "people's" or the will foolishly say one group but even that group is made up of other individuals with different paths. Only inbreds are pure breeds. But you can't do that long before it goes wrong.

The person was referring to a mix of skinwalker and human. The fact that you read it that way tells more about the hate in your heart than theirs. Why do you hold such a grudge?

Why get bent out of shape about the term half breed. That's what it is because no one cares anymore they just want to have sex with everything instead of their own. The real name is mutts more then one blood line in us. I'm a half breed a mutt thanks to my stupid family but I look all white. But my mother is German, Pennsylvania dutch,and Cherokee, Sioux Indian, my father is Scottish and Irish so I'm a half breed or proper term a mutt. I don't get upset about it or made because that's what I am. If no one likes it then stop breeding with everything that moves on 2 feet and stay with with your own. I stay with white women only since I look white ,talk white,act white so fourth. But could be with a native American also but I don't. I don't want to be apart of killing off cultures race whatever so I stay with white girls. But don't get me wrong I do practice the native American ways the best I can and was taught from the native Americans in my family living off the land , hunting, survival and so fourth. But that's me and what I want. But im not going to get my panties in a bunch because someone calls me a half breed or a mutt after they find out that I'm not 100 percent white. Sometimes we have to grow up and accept it because there's nothing we can do about it just live with it. Besides why should I be upset about it I think I'm mixed with the perfect and best breeds native American and white, I think so I don't care what im called. I do everything like a white boy and a native American and I'm happy and proud of it. You should be also whatever your mixed with.

Why get bent out of shape about the term half breed. That's what it is because no one cares anymore they just want to have sex with everything instead of their own. The real name is mutts more then one blood line in us. I'm a half breed a mutt thanks to my stupid family but I look all white. But my mother is German, Pennsylvania dutch,and Cherokee, Sioux Indian, my father is Scottish and Irish so I'm a half breed or proper term a mutt. I don't get upset about it or made because that's what I am. If no one likes it then stop breeding with everything that moves on 2 feet and stay with with your own. I stay with white women only since I look white ,talk white,act white so fourth. But could be with a native American also but I don't. I don't want to be apart of killing off cultures race whatever so I stay with white girls. But don't get me wrong I do practice the native American ways the best I can and was taught from the native Americans in my family living off the land , hunting, survival and so fourth. But that's me and what I want. But im not going to get my panties in a bunch because someone calls me a half breed or a mutt after they find out that I'm not 100 percent white. Sometimes we have to grow up and accept it because there's nothing we can do about it just live with it. Besides why should I be upset about it I think I'm mixed with the perfect and best breeds native American and white, I think so I don't care what im called. I do everything like a white boy and a native American and I'm happy and proud of it. You should be also whatever your mixed with.

Today at about 11:45 at night my boyfriend and I were talking and as we were about done talking we gave each other a kiss and heard something moving behind us not thinking anything about it we continued to walk and talk and as the step stop when we stopped we heard a long bark and not as if I dog did it, it sounded as if it was a human trying to sound like a dog, he wasn’t cool with that do to the fact we were talk and that we are just teenagers, but as he was going to the woods I flashed my lights and saw about 8 eyes staring back at us, I told him to get back as I was the two on the ground move closer to him there were two more that were about 6,5, do to us being in a group for a bit we thought it was my sister and her boyfriend but humans eyes don’t glow in the dark and not one of us are 6,5 we ended up running back to my sister and her boyfriend and they were at the playground confused and worried, as we were talking up to see if my boyfriends friend was up there messing with us he had called them to ask where they were and they were at the lake about 10 minutes away from us knowing that it wasn’t them we stayed in the light and looking into the woods and saw a tall white figure looking at us using its hands to stay up seeing it come to us scared us so we got back into an opened area to make sure we were all together and safe, going back to the spot we had saw the eyes the first time they were gone. So what do you think do you think it was just some animals or a skin walker

Today at about 11:45 at night my boyfriend and I were talking and as we were about done talking we gave each other a kiss and heard something moving behind us not thinking anything about it we continued to walk and talk and as the step stop when we stopped we heard a long bark and not as if I dog did it, it sounded as if it was a human trying to sound like a dog, he wasn’t cool with that do to the fact we were talk and that we are just teenagers, but as he was going to the woods I flashed my lights and saw about 8 eyes staring back at us, I told him to get back as I was the two on the ground move closer to him there were two more that were about 6,5, do to us being in a group for a bit we thought it was my sister and her boyfriend but humans eyes don’t glow in the dark and not one of us are 6,5 we ended up running back to my sister and her boyfriend and they were at the playground confused and worried, as we were talking up to see if my boyfriends friend was up there messing with us he had called them to ask where they were and they were at the lake about 10 minutes away from us knowing that it wasn’t them we stayed in the light and looking into the woods and saw a tall white figure looking at us using its hands to stay up seeing it come to us scared us so we got back into an opened area to make sure we were all together and safe, going back to the spot we had saw the eyes the first time they were gone. So what do you think do you think it was just some animals or a skin walker

Submitted by Desiree (not verified) on Sun, 10/11/2020 - 18:31

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I appreciate your ability to source my culture but please continue to be respectful by using Native American, First Nation or Indigenous when referring to us. Not “Indian” we are not Indian.

I’d prefer Indian, Casino. Not call center.
You’re okay both being called Native Americans? This wasn’t America before we were here. INDIAN is fine, they thought they landed in India. It makes sense. We lost those wars, if we had won I’m sure we’d have a better name.
It’s 2020. It’s okay to be black brown and All kinds Indian. Grow up Desiree.

Maybe it wasn’t you that was spoken of. I’m not offended by it. Maybe it’s simply how I see myself. There was enough interesting information to understand the need for multiple proper nouns as to not be repetitive. Great short read

Hi Audrey,

Actually the term "Indian" has been noted as an accepted term by Native Americans for quite some time. The largest Native American grassroots movement in the United States: American Indian Movement has the term displayed prominently in their name. They are also responsible for the American Indian Opportunities and Industrialization Center that helps with economic prosperity among their people. During protests over the names of multiple professional sports teams members of AIM carried signs that read, "Indians are people not mascots" and "Being Indian is not a character you can play" these were officially recognized statements by the group. The Pulitzer Prize winning author N. Scot Momaday, who's 7/8 Kiowa, has identified himself as Indian. Many who are high quantum, full members of many tribes identify as Indian. It is an accepted term.

Submitted by Indigenous (not verified) on Sat, 08/28/2021 - 22:11

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If you are not Indigenous please refrain from using the term American Indian. Only our peiple are allowed to use this term especially the elders. Non-Indigenous people can use Native or Indigenous.

You're not indigenous either. Neither is the rest of your tribe. You just predate the people who colonized what is now called America. You don't even seem to know the real history, as you think America isn't really India. There's no need to hold yourselves so highly. You already have more rights than other Americans for selling other tribes into slavery and appeasing the Jews, or whatever. There's no need to hold it against the other slaves of all colors and creeds.

Problem is , I love the native people. I love their way of life. When I was a child we learned the term Indian. I didnt know anything about India. Then wjen I got oldet we learned columbus was looking for the west indies. So still we called natives Indians. Now im much older and I realize they want to be called native american. And i understand. Just you cant teach an old dog new tricks.some people are just foolish and dont mean anything by it. They are just uninformed . Love my native bro and sisters. But im white and tjey probably dont care one way or another about me.

What am I? If I do not know who or where I came from? How can I call this land home when the people of this land treat me as a sacrifice? For witch is true. The evil that all races of people have put apon myself and my children would be unexcusable if our skin was not olive. You are so blessed to know who you are and have deep roots to this land. Put the evil of the past in the flames and walk away from the old ways.

What am I? If I do not know who or where I came from? How can I call this land home when the people of this land treat me as a sacrifice? For witch is true. The evil that all races of people have put apon myself and my children would be unexcusable if our skin was not olive. You are so blessed to know who you are and have deep roots to this land. Put the evil of the past in the flames and walk away from the old ways.

Thank you for addressing that issue.
I respect the content and attention to the nature of what she's talking about, however I do not appreciate the use of the term "Indian". They're not from India "directly", therefore they are not Indian.

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