Star People, Sky Gods and Other Tales of the Native American Indians, Paperback

Contributor(s):

• Author: G. W. Mullins
• Illustrator: C. L. Hause

In Native American history, there are many legends about UFOs, gods and aliens. There has always been a connection between Native Americans and beings from other parts of the universe, referred to as Star People. Perhaps due to familiarity with celestial fixtures, it has been easier for Native Americans to relate events they have experienced on earth with things such as the formation of the Pleiades. The experience of tribal individuals with the Pleiades is featured quite proximately in legends across many tribes including Cherokee, Onondaga, Lakota and others. It is not hard to believe they would identify an event with a star, being the nature and history of tribes was to exist outdoors. The night sky would be paid much more attention by one who did not live indoors.

Through the many legends and tribes you can find instances where natives are either rescued or helped by gods or Star Beings. One Lakota legend tells of seven maidens who are pursued by a bear. Just as they are about to be killed, they fall to their knees and pray for intervention. Just as the bear charges, they are lifted high into the air, and the bear is left to claw at the risen ground. The basis of this story is Devil's Tower in Wyoming. The seven maidens became the Pleiades, and the bear's claws are said to have carved the geological features of the rock.

The Pleiades is also the basis of the creation of the Hopi Indians. The Dakota also speak of 'the abode of the ancestors' or Tiyami as a place of their origin. Other native oral histories, or legends, speak of an origin, in the stars generally, or other constellations. The Cree did not originate from human beings but from people from the constellations who later became humans. While others like the Lakota tell stories of beings from the skies.

Many prominent stories tell of the interbreeding with gods and star people and how their offspring must learn to interact and exist with the tribes. In many cases they are raised in a way that they are trained to bring a message or medicine to help the people. In some cases as Po a, they learn of a way to help their people through rituals such as the Sun-dance which cured illness and spread prosperity through the tribe.

Regardless of the tribe or the whether the interaction is through a god or star people, there is proof that the ancient people of North America believed they have been visited by unexplainable beings from the heavens. The stories in the collection tell of many different tribes and their experiences and the outcome of walking with these beings.