Sketch of the Mythology of the North American Indians First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1881, pages 17-56

"Sketch of the Mythology of the North American Indians" by John Wesley Powell is a study that examines the beliefs and stories of different Native American tribes during the 1800s. It is a deep study of their mythologies and how they used them to explain the world around them. Powell’s work shows how different tribes created stories based on what they experienced and believed, using them to answer questions about nature and existence. He compares these myths to scientific ways of thinking, highlighting how these narratives shape their cultural identity and understanding of life. The publication suggests that by studying these myths, we can learn about the ways different cultures developed and grew.