“The Sky Tree” Questions
1. Would you describe Aataentsic’s actions as heroic? Why or why not?
2. (a) What is the Sky Tree? (b) Why is it important to the people in Sky Land?
3. (a) Why does Aataentsic cut down the Sky Tree? (b) What does this action reveal about her relationship
with her husband?
4. (a) Which animal observes Aataentsic’s fall? (b) What role does this animal assume?
5. (a) What is the function of the old chief’s dream in “The Sky Tree”? (b) What does this myth suggest
about the importance that Native American’s attribute to the knowledge gained from dreams?
6. (a) What motivates Aataentsic to follow the Sky Tree into the hole?
(b) How do you view her actions?
7. What does the role of the water animals in the creation of Earth say about Native American attitudes
toward other creatures?
8. How does the role of animals in our culture compare with the role depicted in this myth?