Reacting to the Origin Stories by

Origin Stories John Basinashvili

2023-09-12 22:38:14 UTC

Something that surprised me about these stories is how these people came to be. An example of this is how one of the people, Glooscap, was created from a lightning bolt that fused sand into him. I felt like it was really striking to me because many stories, such as this one, that I've read, have also mentioned these types of elements. What I noticed between people and nature is that they live off of each other almost in a harmonious way. I also noticed that people, such as Glooscap and Sedna, create many beings, such as animals like the beaver or the whale that the two made. Unfortunately, I was not able to find any information about my own country and its relationship between the people and its nature.

Origin Stories: Gursimran Samra

2023-09-13 03:34:06 UTC

While reading the origin stories is the discovery of humans in the Haida Creation Story, I has never heard of a story like a Raven discovering humans under a shell. The stories had the element of nature, the humans are all supposed to follow the rules that are brought upon them, by the land, trees, plants, animals and earth before them. It shows the true respect and spiritual connection between the land, animals and humans. In my culture the people are definitely connected to the land, we believe that God created all. I often hear the term "mother land" for the farmers the land and their farming is all they have to build their life on. I can understand the Indigenous connections and relate on a personal level, even though I was not brought up in India, I can feel myself yearn for my homeland and the peace and serenity with it.

The Mi’kmaq of Listuguj

2023-09-14 16:54:20 UTC

Something that struck me about this story was how Glooscap taught all people he created how to survive in an equal manner. As the author points out, there’s no sense of hierarchy between the peoples. This is something notable to me because in the Eurocentric point of view of history, there has historically been a hierarchy and a division of people by castes or lineage. I also chose to reflect on this story because there are similar elements to one of the origin stories in my culture. In Peru, origin stories revolve around water as a starting point just like in the Mi’kmaq of Listuguj story. In this way, water means life to our people. More specifically, the creator in the Inca worldview, called Wiracocha, made different tribes of people who were then sent to populate north, south, east and west, and to whom he taught how to dress and what their function would be in their society. Lastly, another point of similarity between the Mi’kmaq origin story and the Inca origin story is that both Glooscap and Wiracocha leave at the end, but not without telling people that they can be found again.

Sharon Chavez

Haida (West) - Story about the Raven

2023-09-14 17:33:40 UTC

I was struck by this cute origin story about how the curiosity and resourcefulness of the Raven made great and better things around him. But not only did he made the world in a mischievous way but it was emphasized that he was imperfect and yet he has managed to create beautiful and perfect things. I picked up from the story that some places or people may have more of the resources than others and because of the Raven who sees who needs what, he tries to share it with others so the whole place and everyone might take part of that abundance and resources. It demonstrates the value of sharing. Additionally, the story also portrays the values of humility and self-worth that despite being imperfect and committing mistakes, we need to remember that we don't get better by being constantly right. Our mistakes and imperfections make us a better person.

- Everett Alloso

Lysandra Mahendran - Reaction to the Origin Stories

2023-09-14 22:47:25 UTC

I really enjoyed the story of Sedna (The North - The Inuit of Sikusiilaq). After reading all the stories, this one was such a different story, but with similar themes to the other stories. I think the unique element of this story that really drew my attention and evoked some thought was the way that there are more than two sides/perspectives to this story. There are many different people involved: Sedna, her father, the Raven, the Raven’s friends, family, and more! I think it showed how both humans and animals work the same way. We can look at one perspective and see how Sedna was betrayed by the Raven, but also the Raven’s family and friends endured some loss and betrayal as well. Looking from their perspective, Sedna and her father might look like the “bad guys” in the story. I think it’s an interesting view on how we are not above nature and how humans are very similar to nature. In my country, the origin stories really depend on which religion you are brought up practicing. We were brought up learning about God and how the world was created out of “nothing” and God said what he wanted and it was done.

Origin Stories - Vinicius Souza da Silva

2023-09-18 01:29:20 UTC

I was struck by the Ojibwe Legend of Turtle Island because it puts the nature and the animals as the main protagonist, and not the man. It makes me reflect on how important nature has always been to Indigenous People. In Brazil, I read a book from an Indigenous Author, Daniel Munduruku, that is from a tribe that has a close connections with mine, that says how the river is like an ancient person. She knows many stories, many places, and harmoniously provide life for uncountable life forms. These little details are not, or rarely found, in people's mindset nowadays. They seem to forget how important Mother Earth is to us. The Legend of Turtle Island makes me think about this and I couldn't be more grateful for Mother Nature.

Aarish Saleem

2023-09-19 01:52:24 UTC

After reading all the four origin stories, a very unique element that stood out to me from one of the origin stories The West: Haida was how the raven bird before was a rare type of bird. I think this element was very shocking to me because with how intelligent ravens are if they werent common before, i thought they were only a very small amount of ravens to be ever created in the whole world and unfortunately i thought this meant they would go extinct just like dinosaurs did. I noticed that the relationships between people and nature is for the most part respectful and understanding of one another.

Saba Nouri

2023-09-20 04:01:13 UTC

all the four stories of the origin were instructive and listenable, but one of them, which was belong to the East, the Mi'kmaq of Listuguj about Glooscap (the good one) attracted me. An important point in this story was that he create four different people in the same way and far from any hierarchy and teaching on how to rely on each other and care for another. Also. he was the one who made the world habitable for human beings by creating and arranging landforms, giving animals their attributes and eliminating many monsters such as Malsm. Glooscap taught people to keep the water, the mother of the earth properly.

The Influence of Nature and Origin Stories - Daniella Nuevos

2023-09-28 16:58:38 UTC

When I read the four origin stories, what stood out to me was the strong connection between people and nature. In these stories, nature played a crucial role in the creation of humans and their world. This struck me because it's similar to some Indigenous beliefs in the Philippines, where nature and the environment are deeply intertwined with our identity and spirituality. In my own culture's origin story, we also have a close relationship with nature, as it provides for us and is respected as a source of life and sustenance. So, there are similarities in how both Indigenous Canadian and Filipino cultures emphasize the importance of nature in our origin stories.

The West: Haida (Ankush Kumar)

2023-10-16 22:28:05 UTC

One unique element in the Haida creation story involving Raven is the clever and mischievous nature of the central character, Raven. This element of artfulness and resourcefulness plays a crucial role in bringing light and life to the world. It's an interesting and distinctive feature of the story, as Raven's trickster-like qualities are essential to the story's progression. The relationship between people and nature in this Haida origin story is deeply interconnected. The story underscores the idea that humans and the natural world are intimately linked. The world begins in darkness, and it's Raven's actions that bring light, revealing the first people hidden within a clamshell. This suggests a harmonious and interdependent relationship between humans and the natural world, where nature holds the keys to life and illumination. I can truly understand this feeling as I'm from India. Indian people are very connected with their land. That's why the called Indian land their "Mother". Thus, I can understand how Indigenous people can for their own land.

Humans and Nature - Nuket

2023-10-18 01:33:52 UTC

In all four stories, we see the close bond between humans and nature. In the Ergenekon legend from Turkish culture, nature plays both a confining and liberating role. The mountains and the valley initially trap the Turkic people, representing challenges or obstacles. However, nature – in the form of the grey wolf, Asena – also guides them to freedom. In Turkic mythology, the wolf is a revered and sacred creature, symbolizing leadership and guidance. This story underscores the idea that while nature can pose challenges, it also offers solutions and guidance. Compared to the Ojibwe and Haida stories, there's a shared theme of nature being integral to the identity and destiny of the people. However, while the stories emphasize creation and birth from nature, the Ergenekon legend emphasizes rebirth and resurgence through nature. (Nuket)

West Haida, story about Raven

pkumal — 2023-10-21 03:14:27 UTC

The unique element that struck me in the Haida (West) story about the Raven is the transformation of the Raven into a human-like figure to steal the light, moon, and stars from a chief who hoarded them. This transformation and the clever trickery of Raven were particularly intriguing because they showcased the theme of transformation and the blurred lines between humans, animals, and nature, which are central to many Indigenous origin stories. This transformation element emphasizes the interconnectedness and fluidity of existence in Haida culture, where the boundaries between humans and nature are not rigid but rather intertwined. In many Indigenous origin stories, including the Haida's, there is a profound connection between people and nature. Nature is often portrayed as a living, sentient force, and people are seen as integral parts of this larger natural world. These stories frequently highlight the interdependence between humans and the environment, emphasizing the need for respect and reciprocity. Similarly, in my own culture's origin story, which draws from various traditions and mythologies, there is a theme of humans being created from the natural elements, underlining the idea that people and nature are intrinsically linked. While there may be differences in the specific details, the underlying message of interconnectedness and the respect for nature is a common thread between these origin stories.

Haida-West, The story about Raven. (Prabin Kumal)

pkumal — 2023-10-21 03:18:15 UTC

The West: Haida by:Shujie

2023-10-22 03:06:07 UTC

For me, it was the death aspect of Haida's origin story that appealed to me, explaining how death appears. Many people think that death and life are opposites, but I feel that death is a part of life and it makes life complete, so I pay special attention to this. Everyone in these stories is a part of nature, just like other animals. People obtain the resources they need for survival from nature and respect it. In the story of my hometown, people are made of water and soil. I think this is also because of the respect and worship of nature.

The Enigmatic Relationship Between Indigenous Communities and Mother Nature

2023-10-22 18:06:41 UTC

In light of its unique emphasis on environment and animals as the main characters rather than humans, The Ojibwe Legend of Turtle Island struck a particularly deep chord with me. It made me stop and think about the great importance of nature in Indigenous Peoples' lives. As I thought about this, I remembered reading a book by Indigenous author Daniel Munduruku who belonged to a tribe similar to mine. In the novel, Munduruku skillfully depicts the river as an old creature who is familiar with a vast number of tales and locations and who sustains life in perfect harmony for a variety of living things.
In modern culture, these close ties and profound understandings of nature are either disregarded or seldom taken into account. Many seem to have forgotten the critical part Mother Earth plays in we lead. This reality is vividly brought home to me by The Legend of Turtle Island, which inspires me to express my sincere thanks for Mother Nature's protective embrace.

The Ancient Story between The human vs The creature By:Ronalyn B.

2023-10-22 22:44:17 UTC

The Ojibwe Legend of Turtle Island caught me because it teaches us about sacrifice and its value in a circumstance. Furthermore, it reflects the idea that how someone looks on the outside does not demonstrate their abilities. It represents that acts have consequences. Moreover, the unique element for me is the idea of the phrase "world on a turtle's back" appearing in several Indigenous oral histories, giving origin to the place's name. The Turtle Island story also speaks to a wide range of spiritual and cultural beliefs, as the turtle is seen as a symbol of life by some Indigenous peoples.

The North: The Inuit of Sikusiilq. (John Jell Fernandez)

2023-10-23 00:49:58 UTC

After reading all the 4 story's the Unique element stroke me was the North: The Inuit of Sikusiilaq. and it strike me because this myth discusses the origins of aquatic life and the transformation of a poor woman into the water Goddess, this portion caught my attention. This began when Sedna fell for a suitor who turned out into a Raven, and her father who betray her after helping her by tossing her into the river and cutting off her finger to prevent her from getting back in the Kayak and that's where she went under water and turned into a Goddess, every blood in her finger turned into aquatic life form which are known until now. The way that underwater marine species are created and where they originate from had made me thing about how people and environment interact.

Origin Stories

ravi2213rk — 2023-10-25 18:59:26 UTC

I have never heard of a tale like the Haida Creation Story, where a raven finds humans hiding inside a shell, even though I've read origin legends that describe the discovery of humans.

The stories included a natural element, with humans expected to abide by the laws established by the land, trees, plants, animals, and earth before them. It demonstrates the genuine reverence and symbiotic relationship between humans, animals, and the soil. People in my culture have a strong connection to the land, and we hold that everything was created by God. The phrase "mother land" is frequently used to describe farmers, who rely solely on the land and their crops to support themselves. Even though I was not raised in India, I can identify with the indigenous links and understand them on a personal level. I can also experience a longing for my native country and the tranquility that comes with it.