<P> Coyote is a figure in the following cultural areas of the Americas, as commonly defined by ethnographers: </P> <P> Coyote is featured in the culture of the following groups who live in the area covered by the state of California: the Karuk, the Tongva of Southern California, the Ohlone mythology of Northern California, the Miwok mythology of Northern California, and the Pomo mythology of Northern California . </P> <P> A creation myth of the Maidu of Northern California recounts that as the Creator God was fashioning various creatures out of clay, Coyote tried to do the same . But as he kept laughing, his efforts did not turn out well . Creator God told him that if he stopped laughing, he might do better . Coyote denied laughing . Thus, the first lie was told . </P> <P> Coyote is seen in the cultural heritage of these people of the Great Plains area: the Ho - Chunk mythology (Ho - Chunk, Winnebago), and the Menominee . According to Crow tradition, Old Man Coyote impersonates the Creator . </P>

Who was coyote and what was his role