An Ojibway Story of Creation - Pic River First Nation

Summary

In a mythic tale, the Creator flooded Earth due to human discord, leaving only Nanabush and animals alive. They faced homelessness without land. Nanabush and various animals attempted to retrieve Earth from the depths but failed. The humble muskrat, mocked by others, dived and returned with a tiny clump of Earth, sacrificing its life. This act led to the creation of North America as the turtle carried the Earth on its back, symbolizing the foundation of life.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Creator flooded the Earth due to the inability of people to live in peace.
• 🐾 Nanabush and a few animals were the only survivors of the flood.
• 🏝️ They faced the challenge of having no land to live on.
• 💡 Nanabush had a plan to bring the Earth back from beneath the water.
• 🔍 Nanabush and other animals failed to reach the bottom of the water to retrieve land.
• 🦆 The Loon, a skilled diver, also failed in the attempt to fetch Earth from the depths.
• 🐢 Other animals with diving abilities tried and failed, one after another.
• 🐹 A small muskrat offered to try, despite being laughed at by the others.
• 🌎 The muskrat succeeded in bringing a small piece of Earth back, sacrificing its life in the process.
• 🐢 The turtle volunteered to carry the Earth on its back, leading to the creation of North America.
• 🌱 The muskrat's sacrifice is celebrated and honored, symbolizing the importance of even the smallest contributions.

Q & A

Why did the Creator flood the Earth in the story?

In the story, the Creator flooded the Earth because people could not live together in peace.

Who were the survivors after the flood according to the script?

Nanabrush and a handful of animals were the survivors after the flood.

What was the problem faced by Nanabush and the animals after the flood?

The problem they faced was the absence of land on which they could live.

What was Nanabush's idea to recreate the land?

Nanabrush's idea was to bring Earth from deep underneath the water.

Why couldn't Nanabush reach the bottom of the water to fetch the Earth?

Nanabrush could not reach the bottom no matter how hard he tried, and each attempt left him more exhausted than the last.

Which animals tried to fetch the Earth after Nanabush failed?

The Loon, the turtle, the grebe, and other animals with diving skills all took turns trying to reach the bottom.

Why did the other animals laugh when the muskrat offered to try?

The other animals laughed at the muskrat because they underestimated its abilities, considering it too small and weak compared to them.

What happened to the muskrat after it dove underwater to fetch the Earth?

The muskrat stayed underwater for a very long time, and everyone thought it had drowned, but it eventually resurfaced, barely breathing.

What did Nanabush find in the muskrat's hand when it was brought to the surface?

Nanabrush noticed a small ball of Earth clenched in the muskrat's hand.

What did the turtle offer to do with the Earth after it was retrieved?

The turtle offered to carry the burden of the Earth on its back.

How did the Earth spread to become the landmass known as North America?

Once Nanabush placed the Earth on the turtle's back, the winds blew in all directions, spreading the Earth until it became the island that is now called North America.

What is the significance of the turtle in the story?

In the story, the turtle is at the center of creation, supporting all life on the landmass that became North America.