Iroquois Creation Story – A Set of Original Instructions
Introduction to Creation Stories across the Globe
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African Creation Stories – The Black Man
The Shilluks of the Nile region, for example, tell a story in which humankind is fashioned out of clay. In
each region of the world in which the creator traveled, he created humans from the materials available,
making some white, others red or brown, and the Shilluk black. He then took a piece of earth and gave
them arms, eyes, etc. This story says much about their values and culture. In distributing the characteristics
to man, he chose first to give them the ability to do work through the use of their arms and legs. They were
then given the ability to see and taste their food. Finally, they were given speech and hearing with which to
entertain oneself ("An African Story"). This shows the value system at work among the Shilluk, that work
comes above all else. It also attempts to explain the differences between men of various races by telling of
how they came about.
Holy Bible – The White Man
The most common version of the Holy Bible has Genesis: the story of Creation. In Genesis, God says the
following in verse 26 and 28 respectively:
Verse 26: Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion
over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and
over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
Verse 28: And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and
subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every
living thing that moves on the earth."
Iroquois Creation Story – The Red Man
In most versions of the Iroquois Creation Story, it is said the birds see a woman falling from Skyworld. In
this story it is said the birds meet to decide what to do to help this woman who fell from a hole in the sky.
They counselled and decided the biggest of the birds, the geese, would flock together to safely place the
woman on their backs. It was then the water animals noticed the birds were working together to bring this
woman down to the water. The water animals greeted the birds and welcomed the stranger whose name
was Mature Flowers or Skywoman. They realized that she needed a place to rest for the geese were getting
tired of carrying her on their backs. So the water animals counselled to decide what they would do with
their newfound friend from the sky. They decided to rest this woman upon the back of the Great Turtle.
The water animals convinced she was safe on his back counselled once again to see what to do next. It was
decided one of them would dive deep down to gather mud from the water’s bottom. During this meeting
the muskrat, who was the smallest of the water animals, knew where to get this mud, but the bigger animals
would not listen to him. One by one they dove but came up with nothing. It was then the muskrat acted and
dove for mud they were all seeking. A long time passed until one of the animals noticed something floating
on the surface of the water. The water animals gathered to see it was muskrat and in his closed paws was a
small piece of mud from the bottom of the water. It was then the water animals noticed that no one listened
to little muskrat and so they decided to that from now on that we should always listen to what everyone has
to say regardless of size and stature amongst us all.
The story continues as Mature Flowers gave birth to a little girl who she named Budding Flowers. Budding
Flowers would grow to meet the first male Great Turtle Man who lived within the Earth and whose energy
was immune to the evil energies of this world due to having such a hard shell that could withstand any
attack. In this union of male and female energies, it would be the first relationship to starting Creation here
on Earth. It is said that Budding Flowers gave birth to two male twins, one being Teharonhia:wako, the
Creator, and the other his evil twin, Sawiskera, or known as Flint. Throughout their lives they could not
live together for Teharonhia:wako had a great purpose and to create a beautiful place where water, grass,
plants, medicine, trees, the 4 legged and winged animals, fish, and foods – berries and apples would grow
for the Ogwehonwe who would come once he was satisfied with what he had created.
The story continues as Teharonhia:wako creates the first Ogwehonwe out of red clay of the earth. In his
work Teharonhia:wako knew that he would have to give them instructions to follow in order that are now
charged with the responsibility to take care of Teharonhia:wako’s work.
Common Threads to Creation Stories
There are many common threads to tie Creation stories of the white, yellow, black and red man of the
world. After all they are the children of the Earth, so it is their duty to protect that which has been given to
them by the Creator. These threads include the natural elements water, fire, earth and air play a big role in
Creation. The mud being used to create people, the water giving birth to land being created, the air being
breathed into the nostrils of people to give them life, the sun representing fire or that male energy of the
universe is within every living creature here on earth.
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The natural forces of Creation played a big role creating the earth and all of Creation. The story shows
us there are two forces here on Earth that can impact Creation on a creative or destructive level. The
role of the sun, the moon and the stars have a big impact on Creation for it reminds Ogwehonwe that
we are to look up to these natural forces to help us to live in harmony as one big family.
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The balance of duality in Creation with a female and male energy creating balance in Creation.
Everything is created in balance of two’s male and female.
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Most notably most Indigenous cultures place the female as head of the family while the white man
places man as head of the family. This poses a serious question to ponder upon and that is “What would
the World look like if every Nation had woman in leadership?”
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Teharonhia:wako work to create creation shows Ogwehonwe that the universe is looked upon as one
big family meaning they are all related to one another. So it is we are to give thanks to all of Creation
and that is evident in the Iroquoian Thanksgiving Address, a speech to ever remind Ogwehonwe and
human kind that we are to ever so thankful to all of Creation.
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The Creation Story shows us how to get along in life. For example, the birds and the water animals
counselling with one another to make the best decision before any big decision is made shows
Ogwehonwe how to make decisions that impacts those coming. The water animals not listening to the
little muskrat is a story within the story showing us that we are to look carefully and to consider all
angles even if that person is small and quiet and used to speaking up only when asked to do so.
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The Original Instructions
1. Ogwehonwe (this includes all humans) are to always think of the me and when you do so, you will
forever enjoy peace here on Earth;
2. Ogwehonwe will always give thanks and be thankful for all that was created by the Creator;
3. Ogwehonwe and all of Creation give thanks to Creator three times a day, once as the sun rises from the
East, once when the sun rests rest in the middle of the day, and once when the sun goes down in the
west;
4. Ogwehonwe are to take pleasure and enjoy all that Creator has provided for them while here on Earth;
5. In all of Creation, including the Ogwehonwe, the Creator made both male and female who will breed,
multiply, have families and take great care of their children;
6. The male and female Ogwehonwe have been designated as Caretakers of the Earth, so as long the Earth
continues to exist they will have the duty to look after all of Creation;
Responsibilities to Take Care of Creation:
a. We are to raise the children to respect this way of life.
b. We are live in peace and love one another.
c. We are to walk a path on the earth provided by our ancestors. Know there are two clear paths for you to
choose from, the path of the Creator and the path of his brother Flint. The Creator’s path leads you to
his home in the Skyworld.
d. We are to tell this story to our children to remind them of how they are to protect my gifts, be respectful
of all living things and to be thankful for all that I have provided;
e. We are to never forget our relationships to Creation and to our closest relatives the Moon
(Grandmother) and Sun (Great Uncle);
f. We are to use tobacco to communicate with me and the beings in the Sky World.
g. We are to cultivate the plants provided by Sky Woman and The Creator, known as Songwayadisoh;
h. When people die, we are to place their remains in the ground.
i. We are to gather to offer thanksgiving, reflecting the cycle of nature.
j. When we gather, we are to offer the words of welcome and thanksgiving.
k. My Brother, Flint, will seek to destroy all that is good and try to seduce your mind to his side. Know
that he has been given domain over the nighttime, so you should remain inside your homes at night;
l. When you think of me always remember how my Brother Flint fears the flint stone and the horns of the
deer;
m. Female Ogwehonwe, because you are female like my Mother, whose body is in the Earth, will have the
duty to look after what grows from her body;
n. Male Ogwehonwe, because you are male like the Sun, my Great Uncle, your duty will be to look after
the game animals on the Earth;
o. Creator stated that you should have one mind at all times, so that you won’t hurt one another during
your days here on Earth. Only death will ever separate you from one another;
i
Creation and Flood Myths of the World, Author unknown, viewed at http://www.scribd.com/doc/3970720/Creation-and-Flood-Myths-of-theWorld on October 19, 2009