nativeskins:

Wolves played a big part in the ecosystem and delicate balance of the land and the Native Americans recognized that role. Many Native Americans credit the wolves in teaching them about the importance of family and how to hunt and forage for food.

Native Americans were very aware of the many ways in which his own life resembled those of the wolf. The wolf hunted for himself and for his family. The wolf defended his pack against enemy attack, as the Indian defended his tribe. He had to be strong as an individual and for the good of the pack. It was a sufficient system of survival; and in the eyes of the Indian, no animal did this as well as the wolf.  Natives worked to be as well intigrated in his environment, as he could see the wolf was in the universe.

The hunter did not see the wolf as an enemy or competitor, or as something less than himself. His perception of the wolf was a realistic assessment of the wolf’s ability to survive and thrive, to be in balance with the world they shared. He respected the wolf’s patience and perseverance, which were his most effective hunting weapons.

Wolves were credited with the livelihood of the tribe. Other tribes believed that the timber wolves were spiritual beings that could impart magical powers.

Native Americans have often held wolves in the highest esteem in their culture. In truth, they are many times seen as a sacred animal and featured significantly in ancient songs, dances and stories that have been handed down for generations. Their role in Native American life was a given and often revered and welcomed.

To Native Americans the wolf was a symbol; as teacher of new ideas and wisdom; shows intense loyalty with a balance of independence. Teaches cooperation, protectiveness and the value of extended families.

The plains Indians Tribes domesticated some wolves, to a degree. The animals became faithful and loyal to them and followed them as they went.

Wolf totem symbols were assigned to individuals with similar inclinations. Native Americans would go on a special spiritual journey of up to three days to discover their totem come to them in the form of a vision or a dream. Hence those with deep faith and a high level of intellect would be assigned wolf totems by the medicine man. 

As in Native jewelry, artwork and other cultural items, wolves are featured prominently, often times howling at the moon. As much as they are revered in Native American cultures, they are feared in others. A lot of old children’s stories and fables have wolves portrayed as the bad guys. The “Little Red Riding Hood” and “The Three Little Pigs” stories are just two of the many. These stories got their start and widespread popularity thanks to the settlers in the ‘New World’ killing the timber wolves and painting them as the bad guys for dwindling livestock and wild game. However, it was the settlers who were interrupting the delicate balance of the land that the Native Americans held dear.

While the population of timber wolves and other species has severely dropped over the years, their numbers are slowly picking up, in part due to the controversial efforts of the government protecting them as well as environmental groups. As numbers increase, these timber wolves will be re-introduced back into their native homelands where they had lived, roamed and hunted for centuries.