Aboriginal Creation Stories and Worldview

First Peoples in North America Oral Tradition - Spoken words handed down from generation to generation in storytelling and performances Oral Tradition - Spoken words handed down from generation to generation in storytelling and performances

Worldview Emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with the natural world Emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with the natural world Human beings have a kinship with animals, plants, the land, heavenly bodies, and the elements Human beings have a kinship with animals, plants, the land, heavenly bodies, and the elements The human and the nonhuman are seen as parts of a sacred whole The human and the nonhuman are seen as parts of a sacred whole

Creation Myths- Features Creation myths explain how the universe, earth, and life began. Creation myths explain how the universe, earth, and life began. Myths reveal a need to explain the world and its history. Myths reveal a need to explain the world and its history. References are made to the dominant physical elements of the environment. References are made to the dominant physical elements of the environment.

Creation Myths- Features Myths make clear human dependence upon nature. Myths make clear human dependence upon nature. Humans are made by a deity (god/goddess figure). Humans are made by a deity (god/goddess figure). People are often described as being made from clay/ the earth itself. People are often described as being made from clay/ the earth itself. The world often begins in darkness and creation of light is part of creation itself. The world often begins in darkness and creation of light is part of creation itself.

Sky Woman (1936) By Ernest Smith Consider the image and try to tell the story

The World on the Turtle’s Back Iroquois Iroquois Contains the idea that there is a sky world above our world where supernatural beings exist Contains the idea that there is a sky world above our world where supernatural beings exist A story of cause and effect A story of cause and effect The actions of supernatural beings cause the present features of the world to exist The actions of supernatural beings cause the present features of the world to exist Explains how the land and other physical features were formed Explains how the land and other physical features were formed

The World on the Turtle’s Back Expresses the ideal of people living in harmony with nature Expresses the ideal of people living in harmony with nature Theme

Cambell’s Four Functions of the Myth To instill a sense of awe toward the mystery of the universe To instill a sense of awe toward the mystery of the universe To explain the workings of the natural world To explain the workings of the natural world To support and validate social customs To support and validate social customs To guide people through the trials of living To guide people through the trials of living