Anyone know anything on Navajo folklore, specifially skinwalkers?

[Taverner]

I'm reading about them now - interesting stuff. Apparently, as the legend goes they can turn into any animal by wearing their skin, and are often identified as the Native American answer to werewolves (since the don the skin of Coyotes.) They also do this via witchcraft, and can bring with them sickness, death and evil spirits. They recruit others by promising great powers by joining their *dark side* (I wonder if Lucas' Sith stole from this at all)

Anyway, my question is whether the Navajo believe these witches are Native American only, or if they have recruited other races of peoples to join them.

[tigereye]

1. Tony Hillerman books talk a lot about this

don't know the answer otherwise. There are probably some anthro folks on here who would know... or Navajos.

[Taverner]

2. There was someone yesterday

I forget his name, but he or she chimed in on the peyote thread. That person might know (just a guess, the poster seemed to know what they were talking about.)

[amerikat]

3. I worked on the reservation for a while

very interesting place/culture. I met a chef in Winslow that was married to a Navajo girl.....and they lived on the res for a while....but he told me it was just to spooky at night....so they moved to Winslow. I think the folklore just freaked him out.

[clyrc]

4. I don't, but

I have three foster-uncles who are Navajo, and I remember when I was growing up the oldest told the best scary stories. When I see him again this summer, I'm going to ask him to tell my daughters some of his stories, because they adore being scared.