Coyote and the One-Legged Man
Coyote and the One-Legged Man
Coyote and the One-Legged Man is an ikanum passed down by ancestors, shared through language, animation, and sound. This exhibit invites visitors into an immersive space where story, place, and voice come together, offering multiple ways to listen, learn, and reflect.
At the heart of the exhibit is a large-scale projection of an animated adaptation of the story, allowing viewers to sit and experience it as a shared moment. Surrounding the projection are suspended text elements that offer context, insight, and moments of learning throughout the space. The bentwood box anchors the room and becomes an audio experience, allowing visitors to hear spoken words in Kalapuyan, Chinuk Wawa, and English. Together, these elements create an environment that encourages slowing down, listening closely, and engaging with the story beyond the written page.
Language is central to this exhibit. By presenting the story in Kalapuyan alongside Chinuk Wawa and English translations, the exhibit highlights the importance of language revitalization and the role storytelling plays in carrying knowledge across generations. Hearing the words spoken aloud offers another layer of connection, grounding the story in sound as well as meaning.
Exhibit Credits
Bobby Mercier / carvings
David Harrelson / artwork
Felix Furby / translation, narration, interpretation
Greg Archuleta / carvings
Jedd Schrock / translation and interpretation
John Hudson / storytelling and translation
Kyoni Merceir / narration and interpretation
Teal Reibach / animation adaptation and interpretation
Travis Stewart / carvings
This exhibit reflects the collaborative effort of artists, language workers, designers, and community members who each contributed their skills and care to bring this story into the space.
Coyote and the One-Legged Man is both a listening experience and a gathering place. Visitors are invited to sit with the story, hear the languages, and experience how ancestral knowledge continues to live and move through contemporary forms.