The difference of opinion between the Ute tribe and the Navajo tribe would vastly differ because prior to the surrendering of either tribe to the U.S. Government both tribes were at war. This rivalry is seeded so deep that it even exists in other forms to this very day. The Utes take on the skinwalker is just that. They had no knowledge of what the skinswalker purpose was other than to be harmful. It is very easy to get the impresssion that skinwalkers are shape shifters. The notion of shape shifting comes primarily from the plains indians tribes. The Ute fall into the plains indians category. The Navajo are relatively recent to the area. There are many theories as to where the Navajo have come from. I have looked into our origins and made comparisons to the tribes around me. We don't exactly fit into the puzzle out here, although we have adapted to the area that we now call home. The perception of skin walkers outside of the Navajo tribe is influenced by other cultures.

In response to your question about Stephanie and I speaking for all the Navajo. I believe it was stated before that Stephanie and I are trying to explain that skinwalkers are animal shamans versus the common perception that they are werecreatures or shapeshifters. I can only say that after living on the reservation for 21 years of my life that consensus of skinwalkers is the same as our point of view. I have taken it upon myself to talk to my peers, friends and relatives about the topic as a result of this thread. Just to make sure that I was not coming to this conclusion on my own. I can say with great confidence that a majority of the people feel like I do. There are indeed Navajo who will romantacize the skin walker to non-members of the Navajo tribe for their own purposes. I can recall an oral tale handed down to me from my elders about a time before the skin walkers were considered enemies. The tale was about the Long Walk. When the Navajo were forced to march to Fort Sumner after their surrender. The skin walkers were able to go to and from the fort because they were home sick. They also served as messengers between family members that were in captivity and family members in hiding. Another tale that was handed down was that the skin walkers purpose in life was to understand our deities. Our deities were the animal people and in their behaviour did we shape our beliefs. Skin walkers had an understanding of the animals that we shared the "Fourth World" with. They were considered elite hunters and warriors. The Ute can probably attest to that. These are the purposes that the skin walkers served before the Navajo were conquered.

There is alot of speculation as to why the role of the skin walker has changed. In alot of ways it hasn't. They are still primarily used as a weapon. There is no discrimination as to who their victims are. In most border towns around the reservation like Gallup, NM, you will find that most of the non-Navajo citizens are aware of their presence. Some of their roles have changed however, no longer are they animal shaman guides or great hunters for the benefit of the people. My grandfather speculated that with death of some of our culture there was no longer a need for them to provide that service. We were no longer hunters and fishers. We became herders and farmers literally overnight.

The amount of tales that I can tell you can fill a book. They have been acrued over a lifetime. Stephanie stated that this tale will unfold for you slowly. I suggest you excercise a little patience as the tale unfolds.

It does not require many words to speak the truth. - Chief Joseph