Comp Civ 12
Name/Date:
Unit: Beliefs and Religion
Topic: Belief Systems
Assignment: Creation Myths
!
What is the earth and how did it form? Where does the sun come from, and why does it
move across the sky? Why do we have seasons? Where did the first animals and people
come from? Why does it rain and thunder? Why is there a night and a day? What is the
moon and why does it shine?
Human societies have long pondered and attempted to explain the world around them.
Long before modern science found answers to the above questions, each civilization asked
and answered them with stories and ideas based on the conceptions of their particular
culture. Many creation myths share broadly similar themes. Common motifs include the
fractionation of the things of the world from a primordial chaos; the separation of the mother
and father gods; land emerging from an infinite and timeless ocean. These myths reflected
belief systems that evolved into more formal religious structures.

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2. An artist presentation of a creation myth of your choice to make the story
come alive. Use your creativity and use a combination of art, music, costumes,
drama, models etc. Presentations should be visually rich and demonstrate a
depth of understanding of the myth and its cultural and religious significance in
your chosen civilization.
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
• What is Myth?
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What are creation myths?
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Ways of interpreting myth
The Big Myth
Creation Myths from Around the World
Canada First Nations Creation Myths
Creation Myths
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Watch a creation story(headphones needed)
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Four Directions Teachings
Elders and traditional teachers representing the Blackfoot, Cree, Ojibwe, Mohawk, and
Mi’kmaq share teachings about their culture. Animated graphics visualize each of the
oral teachings
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Internet Sacred Text Archive ( search word: creation for dozens of cultures)
Babylonia
Egypt
Greece - Hesiod
King James Version: Genesis Chapter 1
Nigeria
Rome
Canadian First Nations
- Iroquois (Earth Diver)
- Blackfoot (Earth Diver)
- Igluik (World Parent)
- Huron (World Parent)
- Cree (World Parent)
- Siouian (Emergence)
- Haida (Conflict and Robbery)
- Tsimshian (Rebirth of a Corpse)
- Mi'kmaq (Two Creators and their Conflicts)
- Algonquin (Brother)
- Dene (Creation of Seasons)