Creation Stories - started Oct 6 2020 - finished Oct 28 2020
Creation Stories are a part of human history and every culture and some religions have some type of creation story.
When these stories were originally told, we didn’t have the technology that we do now. We didn’t know anything about the world or how it was made, etc. That’s why creation stories are told to help us make sense of things – at least back then. Now we have Google to help with figuring things out.
In some First Nations – like Cree & Anishinaabe – stories are only told during the winter time. Storytelling time was reserved for when the work was done, like the gathered food was stored away and it was too cold/stormy for hunting. The Elders usually did the storytelling, as it was a way to pass down teachings to the next generation. It was not uncommon to hear the same stories every year, as we become older and mature we gather new knowledge from old stories. plus we carry the tradition of retelling the story accurately in the future for others to hear and learn.
Creations stories usually tell us how the people got to this land, or how the sun, moon, stars were made or how the people got something to help them (e.g. fire) or the people received a new teaching/ceremony. These are all creation stories which now help us make sense of the past.
Here in Turtle Island (North America), we have many Creation Stories about how the various Indigenous People became to be here. How many do you know?
Listen to "How Turtle Island Came to Be" Creation story
*this is one of the most well known stories on Turtle Island. There are many versions depending on what region of Turtle Island and who does the story-telling. This version is a very short, simple version of the creation of Turtle Island. Please forgive the stumbling :)
A longer version can be read here: http://dhseagles.kpdsb.on.ca/about/aboriginal/creationTurtleIsland.html
When these stories were originally told, we didn’t have the technology that we do now. We didn’t know anything about the world or how it was made, etc. That’s why creation stories are told to help us make sense of things – at least back then. Now we have Google to help with figuring things out.
In some First Nations – like Cree & Anishinaabe – stories are only told during the winter time. Storytelling time was reserved for when the work was done, like the gathered food was stored away and it was too cold/stormy for hunting. The Elders usually did the storytelling, as it was a way to pass down teachings to the next generation. It was not uncommon to hear the same stories every year, as we become older and mature we gather new knowledge from old stories. plus we carry the tradition of retelling the story accurately in the future for others to hear and learn.
Creations stories usually tell us how the people got to this land, or how the sun, moon, stars were made or how the people got something to help them (e.g. fire) or the people received a new teaching/ceremony. These are all creation stories which now help us make sense of the past.
Here in Turtle Island (North America), we have many Creation Stories about how the various Indigenous People became to be here. How many do you know?
Listen to "How Turtle Island Came to Be" Creation story
*this is one of the most well known stories on Turtle Island. There are many versions depending on what region of Turtle Island and who does the story-telling. This version is a very short, simple version of the creation of Turtle Island. Please forgive the stumbling :)
A longer version can be read here: http://dhseagles.kpdsb.on.ca/about/aboriginal/creationTurtleIsland.html
What to expect in our current unit:
•Arrival theories (Turtle Island)
•Creation stories (various/world wide - Indigenous & non-Indigenous)
•Common elements in creation stories
•True or not true? Scientific evidence?
•Illustrate and Retell a Creations Story (in class or video project presentation)
•Arrival theories (Turtle Island)
•Creation stories (various/world wide - Indigenous & non-Indigenous)
•Common elements in creation stories
•True or not true? Scientific evidence?
•Illustrate and Retell a Creations Story (in class or video project presentation)
Arrival Theories - How the Indigenous People came to Turtle Island
People ask, "What about the real story of how people came to North America?" Real story? Ohhh, you mean the scientific theory of how Indigenous people came to Turtle Island (North America) thousands and thousands of years ago. That's just a story too, but more like an educated guess backed up with some very solid research and archaeological evidence. Is it 100% proven? We don't know; we kinda had to be there...er….then. However, we will briefly look at four main theories that many scholars use to discuss how Indigenous people arrived here in Turtle Island.
Arrival Theory #1
Beringia Land Bridge & Ice Free Corridor in North America - migration as early as 20,000 years ago (older theory - originated in 1590)
Theorists thought that people immigrated from Asia to North America across a northern land bridge during the last ice age. The sea levels had dropped exposing land between Asia and North America (where Alaska is located), creating a natural land bridge. Once people had crossed over (which may have taken hundreds of years) to North America, they travelled southwards through an ice-free corridor towards the middle of North America, and then onwards to South America.
This theory is very popular explanation and is taught in many schools. However, other theories have started to come to the forefront as new evidence is compiled.
People ask, "What about the real story of how people came to North America?" Real story? Ohhh, you mean the scientific theory of how Indigenous people came to Turtle Island (North America) thousands and thousands of years ago. That's just a story too, but more like an educated guess backed up with some very solid research and archaeological evidence. Is it 100% proven? We don't know; we kinda had to be there...er….then. However, we will briefly look at four main theories that many scholars use to discuss how Indigenous people arrived here in Turtle Island.
Arrival Theory #1
Beringia Land Bridge & Ice Free Corridor in North America - migration as early as 20,000 years ago (older theory - originated in 1590)
Theorists thought that people immigrated from Asia to North America across a northern land bridge during the last ice age. The sea levels had dropped exposing land between Asia and North America (where Alaska is located), creating a natural land bridge. Once people had crossed over (which may have taken hundreds of years) to North America, they travelled southwards through an ice-free corridor towards the middle of North America, and then onwards to South America.
This theory is very popular explanation and is taught in many schools. However, other theories have started to come to the forefront as new evidence is compiled.
Arrival Theory #2
Coastal Theory - migration as early as 16,000 years ago (newer and more currently accepted theory - originated mid-21st century)
A widely accepted theory is the coastal theory. Scholars and scientists thought that people immigrated across the Beringia land bridge, but instead of going through the middle of North America, they travelled down the western coast of North America. Even during the last ice age, large parts of the coast were ice-free. Animals, plants and fish were still plentiful in order to sustain a small population of people it has been theorized. Even Indigenous oral stories tell of a time when people lived along the coast during the last ice age. This has been recently backed up by some evidence found along the coast of human habitation discovered in 2017, "14,000-year-old archeological find affirms Heiltsuk Nation's ice age history". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
Coastal Theory - migration as early as 16,000 years ago (newer and more currently accepted theory - originated mid-21st century)
A widely accepted theory is the coastal theory. Scholars and scientists thought that people immigrated across the Beringia land bridge, but instead of going through the middle of North America, they travelled down the western coast of North America. Even during the last ice age, large parts of the coast were ice-free. Animals, plants and fish were still plentiful in order to sustain a small population of people it has been theorized. Even Indigenous oral stories tell of a time when people lived along the coast during the last ice age. This has been recently backed up by some evidence found along the coast of human habitation discovered in 2017, "14,000-year-old archeological find affirms Heiltsuk Nation's ice age history". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
Arrival Theory #3
Solutrean Theory - Trans-Atlantic migration about 20,000 years ago - (disputed theory - originated in 1970s)
This theory hypothesizes that people immigrated from Europe, crossed the Atlantic by a northern ice floe, then headed southwards along the eastern coast of North America. This theory came about because of some ancient tools that were discovered in Clovis, TX and had similar traits to ancient Solutrean people in Europe. However, that is where the similarities end and the disputes begin. Scholars think that ancient Solutreans were very capable like the Inuit people and could survive the cold and travel/hunt along the ice floes. Most evidence does not corroborate that line of thinking. Genetic testing of Indigenous people have shown that they are more closely related to Asian peoples than to European people.
Solutrean Theory - Trans-Atlantic migration about 20,000 years ago - (disputed theory - originated in 1970s)
This theory hypothesizes that people immigrated from Europe, crossed the Atlantic by a northern ice floe, then headed southwards along the eastern coast of North America. This theory came about because of some ancient tools that were discovered in Clovis, TX and had similar traits to ancient Solutrean people in Europe. However, that is where the similarities end and the disputes begin. Scholars think that ancient Solutreans were very capable like the Inuit people and could survive the cold and travel/hunt along the ice floes. Most evidence does not corroborate that line of thinking. Genetic testing of Indigenous people have shown that they are more closely related to Asian peoples than to European people.
Arrival Theory #4
Trans-Pacific Theory - migration across the Pacific as early as (newest theory - still gathering evidence)
This theory is still new as evidence is still being recorded. Yet, scholars think that the Polynesian peoples were capable of ocean crossings or at least "island hopping" to get to North America. The Polynesian peoples did have boats that were made for the oceans in their areas, so it may be possible that a wave of people migrated from across the Pacific Ocean long ago.
Trans-Pacific Theory - migration across the Pacific as early as (newest theory - still gathering evidence)
This theory is still new as evidence is still being recorded. Yet, scholars think that the Polynesian peoples were capable of ocean crossings or at least "island hopping" to get to North America. The Polynesian peoples did have boats that were made for the oceans in their areas, so it may be possible that a wave of people migrated from across the Pacific Ocean long ago.
Creation Stories - videos
Watch some of the Creations stories that we have looked at already.
Watch some of the Creations stories that we have looked at already.
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Student Assignment: CREATION STORY PROJECT (download below) - assigned Oct 13 2020
For this unit, you will be looking at two Creation Stories that you will choose. Please read them a few times to get familiar with them. You might need to save them in a Word Document, so you do not forget them.
Your total assignment will be out of 20 marks:
You will compare both stories to find their similarities and differences. Choosing stories that have enough similarities/differences will help you with this part of the assignment. You may need to read through a few stories to see what works for you. A VENN diagram will be provided to you to complete this part of your assignment. QUESTIONS 4 marks: Thoughtful answers with reasoning will be accepted. NOT “IDK” or “I thought it was cool”. You will answer these two questions:
RETELLING w/ ILLUSTRATIONS 10 marks: You will PICK ONE CREATION STORY to retell and illustrate. The retelling can be in class or by video (emailed to [email protected]).
1 sheet (11”x 14” size) OR multiple sheets (8”x11” size: minimum 2 – maximum 4) Illustrations can be drawn, magazine cut-outs or computer printed/generated. Still needs to be neat! Need to find some Turtle Island Creation Stories? Try here: https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Legends-AB.html |
Due Dates:
Extension Dates will be the last day for this project. 8-1 & 8-2: October 21 (extended to OCT 27) 8-3 & 8-4: October 22 (extended to OCT 28) 8-6 & 8-7: October 26 |
Creation Stories Project | |
File Size: | 108 kb |
File Type: | docx |
For those that want to use PowerPoint for their presentations, you can make it into a movie!
Check out the video below to learn how!
Check out the video below to learn how!