Deer Woman

The Deer Woman, also known as the Deer Lady, is a multifaceted spirit across various Indigenous American mythologies who manifests as either a deer or a beautiful young woman possessing the distinct hooves of a deer. Traditionally, she is characterized as a vengeful protector who lures men to their deaths if they have committed acts of harm against women or children, serving as a powerful supernatural force for moral justice. In contemporary contexts, her narrative has evolved alongside social movements addressing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), leading to retellings where she is reimagined as a self-saving hero acting out of necessity rather than a mere murderous seductress.

This shift reflects a broader cultural transformation where the Deer Woman symbolizes resilience and the protection of the vulnerable within the framework of modern Indigenous political and social struggles.