The Navajo think them to be accomplished medicine men or witches who reach the highest level of priesthood but elect to use the powers they gain when doing so for evil. To become skinwalkers they must kill a close relative. Then they gain immense magical powers that include the ability to shapeshift into any animal they choose. Once they kill it, they can take on its form. The most feared or revered animals in Navajo mythology are usually their choice: coyotes, crows, wolves, owls, foxes. It’s rare, but some are powerful enough to even change into the skin of other humans. When they shapeshift it is for the singular purpose of inflicting pain. In their animal forms they appear larger than their natural counterparts and are marked by red glowing eyes. They are fierce, vicious and bloodthirsty. There is no creature more feared in Native American folklore than the skinwalker.” Mr. Cordero concludes class with a Native American myth like he always does when he has assigned reading as homework for the night.
