by Alan Nafzger & Lilly Tabbytite (Comanche)
A monster descended from the north one day, long before there were any people on the planet. He was a massive monster who devoured everything in sight. He ate all the small animals, as well as the chipmunks, raccoons, mice, and large animals. He devoured deer, elk, and even a mountain lion.
Coyote was enraged because he couldn't find any of his friends. He decided it was time to put an end to the monster.
Coyote crossed the Snake River and clung to the highest peak in the Wallowa Mountains. Then he summoned the monster from the other side of the river. He dared the monster to try to eat him.
The monster charged up the river and into the mountains. He tried everything he could to suffocate Coyote with his breath, but it was futile. Coyote's rope was too powerful.
This terrified the monster. He decided to befriend Coyote and invited him to come and stay with him for a while.
Coyote once told the monster that he wanted to see all of the animals in the monster's belly. The monster agreed and allowed Coyote to enter.
When Coyote went inside, he discovered that all of the animals were safe. He told them to get ready to flee and then went about his business. He lit a massive fire in the monster's stomach with his fire starter. Then he took his knife and slashed the monster's heart. The monster died horribly, and all of the animals escaped. Coyote was the last one to leave.
Coyote stated that in honor of the occasion, he would create a new animal, a human being. Coyote dismembered the monster and tossed the pieces to the four winds. A tribe was formed where each piece landed, some in the north, some in the south, others in the east and west, in valleys and canyons and along rivers. All of the tribes were formed in this manner.
When he was finished, Coyote's friend, Fox, stated that no tribe had been formed on the spot where they were standing. Coyote was disappointed that he didn't have any more parts, but then he had an idea. He wiped his hands with water and sprinkled the drops on the ground.
"Here on this ground, I make the Nez Perce," Coyote explained. They will be few, but they will be powerful and pure. "
And this is how humans were created.