As in many cultures, tricksters and other beings may act as culture heroes who teach the people how to live. Coyote, Raven, and the Great Hare all fulfill such roles. There are nobler heroes as well, young men who successfully pursue vision quests for the good of their people. One of these heroes is an Ojibwa boy, Wunzh, who, during his quest, wrestles with and defeats a spirit who, after being buried, is reborn as corn.

Other examples of Indian heroes are Corn Mother (or Corn Grandmother) and a strange boy who was also a water jar. And there are also monster-slaying heroes.