Yokut Creation Myth

Reagan Baylee Campbell

August 23, 2012

Yokut Myth

            The Yokut Myth is an Earth Diver Myth. The Eagle and the Crow are looking for a solution to create more land. The stump in which they are calling “home” will no longer cut it until they run into Duck. Duck plays a large role in the Yokut Myth because Duck helps Eagle and Crow create the land in which they wished for. In exchange for fish, Eagle and Crow work together with Duck, while he brings up mud to the stump.” “Could Duck possibly bring up enough mud for us to build land?” They wondered. How could they let Duck know that mud was what they needed most?” (Pg 2) Another Native American theme in this myth is food. Food is the driving source of life, especially in this myth. Duck, Crow, and Eagle work together as an exchange system. This myth shows communication, responsibility, and teaches a lesson of respecting others. The Crow becomes greedy and takes some of the land, but in the end he gets a consequence and does not have as much land as Eagle. “Yokut historians end their tale by saying that people everywhere honour the brave and strong Eagle, while Crow is accorded a lesser place because of his unfair disposition displayed during the creation of the world by Eagle and Crow.” (Page 3)

The Raven and the Sources of Light

Reagan Campbell

August 26^th, 2012

“The Raven and The Sources of Light”

            In The Raven and The Sources of Light, the Raven has human like characteristics when he speaks. “I just know the way! I will change myself into something very small and wait in the stream to be caught.” (Page 2) This is an example of anthropomorphism. Another Native American theme shown in this myth was food. The driving force of the Raven was to get the light back from the Great Chief so the food will still grow. If the world continued on with no light the Haida people would not survive due to lack of crops. Once the Great Chief’s daughter drinks the seed in which Raven has transformed into, Raven is reborn into a child. This shows the importance of children in the Native American myths. The Great Chief valued his grandchild and gave him everything he wished for. This myth is an example of an Accretion or Conjunction myth because when Raven decides he is going to rescue the light, he collects pebbles for his long journey. As Raven continues across the water, he drops pebbles into the water that eventually turn into islands where he can rest. The pebbles the Raven drops turn into islands. This shows the births of land from another object. This could also be a Dues Faber myth because Raven creates the world we live in today by rescuing the light.

Emergence Creation Myth

Reagan Campbell

August 2012

The Emergence Creation Myth

Similar to a common trait of Native American literature, the short myth, “The Emergence” is a story about not ordinary people, but very human-like animals traveling through the 4 worlds. This myth was a journey traveled by the dragonflies, bees, flies, ants, locusts, and ants. These insects faced obstacles, teaching them life lessons throughout the story. For example, the insects were originally surrounded by fire, and came up with the solution to make wings so they could fly toward the “roof of the world”. While collecting corn ears, a gust of wind comes and transforms two ears of corn into the people. (pg 499) The myth says this is how the people came to be in the “3^rd World”. The number 4 reoccurs multiple times throughout this myth, just like Native American literature. For example, when the insects first leave, they face their first obstacle; the 4 birds (pg 499). Next, 4 gods are introduced. These 4 gods stay for a total of 4 days in the Yellow World (pg 499-500). Stated on page 500, an insect says: “First People sent messages to the 4 corners of the Yellow World”. Again, a reference to the number 4 representing North, South, East, and West is made again. Lastly, just like Native American myths, the myth “The Emergence” gives a life lesson, or moral. The moral of this story is to show how honesty, unity, trust and communication are 4 essential parts to any human beings life.

Sedna Creation Myth

Reagan Baylee Campbell

September 2012

Sedna Creation Myth

The Sedna Myth relates to the Secretion Myth. When Sedna is attempting to hold onto the boat, her father chops off her fingers. One joint at a time her fingertips fall into the waters. The first joint/nail turns into whales. The second set of joints turns into ringed-seals, the next into ground seals and lastly the numbs/thumbs turn into walrus’. This is an example of Secretion Myth because as a result of Sedna losing her body parts, animals or new “life” is born/created. “Sedna’s father crazed by his own fears, took his sharp fishing knife and cut off Sedna’s fingers from her nails down to the first joint. As her fingertips fell into the waves, her nails became whalebone and her flesh became whales.” (Page 3)

Chelan Creation Myth

Reagan Campbell

September 2012

Creation Myth- “Chelan Creation of First Indians”

            The Chelan myth relates to two types of creation myths: Secretion and Dues Faber Myths. Firstly, the Chelan Creation Story relates to Secretion Myths because after the Youngest Wolf Brother kills the Beaver, he can only cut it into 11 pieces, when the Creator told him he needed to cut it into 12. The Youngest Wolf Brother decides to take the blood from the Beaver and use that as the 12^th component. From all the Beaver’s body parts different tribes are born and created. “ He had killed Beaver and was carrying it. “You remember that the Creator told us to cut it into twelve pieces,” said Youngest Brother to the animal people. But he could oly divide it into eleven pieces.” (Page 3) Lastly, from the blood of the Beaver the Blackfeet tribe is born. The Chelan Creation Story also relates to Dues Faber Myths because it features the Creator, who designs and creates the earth/world. According to the Chelan story, the Creator, or Great Chief Above, created the world. “Long, long ago, the Creator, the Great Chief Above, made the world.” (Page 1)

Caught By A Hairstring

Reagan Baylee Campbell

August 28^th 2012

“Caught by a Hairstring”

            This myth has several morals and themes. The moral of the story talks about abusing your power, using your power the right way, and changing the way people look at you. In the myth the young man is perceived as a lazy husband. He becomes a great huntsman and fisherman changing peoples view on him. This myth links back to Native American myths because of the repetition used. Two times the old lady (grandma) is introduced in the woods by tying her hair into a bun and leaving the strands out. “Take this beaded hair string.” (Page 2) This quote represents the symbolic hair string passed down from the grandmother. This also represents the importance of children. The hair string could be symbolic for the cycle of family, or the passing down from generation to generation. When the young man and beautiful daughter meet in the woods, this shows sense of direction, a common theme in Native American myths. “The chief’s son was not surprised when he suddenly came upon the elder of the two beautiful, shy sisters walking all along in the woods.” (Page 4)