The Ojibway Creation Story

Summary

This story from Anishinabe oral tradition recounts the Great Flood sent by the Creator to purify the Earth after people lost harmony and respect for all living things. Only Nana Bush and a few animals survived. Despite failed attempts by larger animals, a humble muskrat sacrificed its life to retrieve a small piece of Earth from the deep waters. With the help of the turtle and the Creator, this piece grew into the land now known as North America. The story honors the turtle and muskrat for their roles in renewing life on Earth.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Anishinabe people, also known as the Original People, once lived in harmony but eventually began to fight amongst themselves.
• 😔 The Creator saw that peace and respect for all living things had vanished, so he decided to purify the Earth with a Great Flood.
• 💧 The flood wiped out most of the Anishinabe people and animals, except for Nana Bush and a few surviving animals and birds.
• 🛶 Nana Bush and the animals floated on a log, but no land could be found, as the Earth was entirely covered by water.
• 🐾 Nana Bush decided to try to retrieve Earth from the bottom of the water to create new land, but the task proved too difficult for many animals.
• 🦆 Several animals, including the loon and the hell diver, attempted to reach the bottom of the water but failed.
• 🦦 Eventually, the muskrat volunteered to dive. Despite the doubt of the other animals, he managed to grab a small bit of Earth before dying from exhaustion.
• 🖐️ Nana Bush found the tiny ball of Earth in the muskrat’s paw, and the turtle offered his back to support the new Earth.
• 🍃 With the Creator's help and the four winds, the small piece of Earth on the turtle's back grew into an island, which became North America.
• 🐢 The Ojibwe people revere the turtle and muskrat for their roles in recreating the Earth, and the muskrat is celebrated for its resilience, even in modern times.

Q & A

What caused the Creator to purify the earth in the story?

The Creator decided to purify the earth because the Anishinabe people began to fight and kill each other, and harmony and respect for living things no longer existed.

How did the Creator purify the earth?

The Creator purified the earth by sending a Great Flood, which killed the Anishinabe people and most of the animals.

Who survived the Great Flood according to the story?

Nana Bush, along with a few animals and birds, survived the Great Flood.

What was Nana Bush's plan to recreate the land?

Nana Bush planned to dive to the bottom of the water to retrieve a handful of earth, which he believed could be used to create a new land with the help of the four winds and the Creator.

What challenges did the animals face in retrieving earth from the bottom of the water?

Many animals, including the loon and the hell diver, tried to reach the bottom but failed because the water was too deep, and they could not hold their breath long enough.

Who ultimately succeeded in bringing earth from the bottom of the water?

The muskrat, a small and underestimated animal, succeeded in bringing a small piece of earth from the bottom, although it died in the process.

What was the significance of the muskrat’s sacrifice?

The muskrat's sacrifice was essential for life on Earth to begin anew, as it brought back the small ball of earth needed to recreate the land.

How was the new land created after the muskrat’s sacrifice?

Nana Bush placed the small piece of earth on the turtle’s back, and with the help of the Creator and the four winds, the piece of earth grew into an island, which eventually became North America.

Why is the turtle important in this creation story?

The turtle is important because it volunteered its back to support the growing piece of earth, symbolizing the foundation of the new land, which the Ojibwe refer to as North America.

How do the Ojibwe people continue to honor the muskrat today?

The Ojibwe people honor the muskrat by acknowledging its role in the Great Flood story and recognizing its ability to survive and multiply, even as its natural habitats are impacted by human progress.