Native American cultures, the First People of America and Canada, have held the wolf in high regard for centuries.  It is because of this respect for the animal that the wolf and symbols for the wolf appeared in the art, mythology and religion of many Native Americancultures.  Indeed, so strong was their respect for this beautiful and powerful animal, some tribesof the North American continent compared themselves to wolves both in the characteristics of wolves and the lifestyle of a wolf pack and were called Wolf People by other tribes.  

The People of the First Nationshunted to procure food for their families and the entire tribe just as wolves did for the entire pack.  They did not compete with each other for food and did not kill for pleasure.  Neither did Native American hunters or wolveskill more than they needed for survival.  Native American hunters would strive to imitate the wolf when hunting.  Both were stealthy and patient when hunting and both had the staminato stay with a hunt until successful.   It was considered the highest praise for the prowess of a hunter to be compared to a wolf. 

Both the wolf and Native Americans were fierce defenders of their pack or tribe.  Just as wolves did, Native Americans would fight to the death to defend their territory in order to preserve their way of life because it meant their very survival, yet neither are naturally aggressive and prefer to be social.  If the food became scarce in their territory, the People of the First Nations would move the entire tribe to another territory which was common for wolf packs to do.  However, over the past two centuries on the North American continent, wolf packs and the First Nations have been relegated to specified territories.  

The wolf was also a magicalanimal in the religions of the First Nations.  It is a symbol of freedom and individuality, yet attentive to the responsibilities of the pack.  Many Native American tribes would use an image of the wolf in their totems or amulets.   Religious beliefs of some tribes attribute the creation of the earth in part to the wolf.  Other tribes believed that if they were to kill a wolf that severe retribution would be brought down upon the perpetrators.  However, other tribes believed that the power of the skin of a wolf would help them be more successful in the hunt, bring a chief’s dead son to life or alleviate the pain of childbirth.   

Throughout the different cultures of Native Americans, The First People embraced the wolf in their culture and it was said that “The wolf and the Indian once lived in harmony…they hunted together and their spirits touched.”