Creation’s Original Instructions& Our Climate

Artwork, Old Father Story Teller by Pablita Velarde (Santa Clara Pueblo) from “Native

Science” (Cajete, 2000)

Creation and Our OriginsExamples

Wampanoag

Diné (Navajo)

Tohono O’odham

Map from Google maps http://maps.google.com/

Mi’kmaq

Creation and Our Origins

Gay Head Cliffs of Aquinnah on Noepe(Martha’s Vineyard)Maushop’s home and sacred place forWampanoag (People of the Dawn)Photo by Casey Kahn-Thornbrugh, 2008

Ioligam (I’itoi’s Garden) and Waw Giwulk (Baboquivari Peak) in thebackgroundI’itoi’s home and sacred place forTohono O’odham (People of the Desert)Photo by Casey Kahn-Thornbrugh, 2008

Creation and Our Origins

The four sacred mountainsof Diné Bikeyah (Navajo Nation Lands)

Dibé Nitsaa (Mt. Hesperus, CO)

Sisnaajiní (Blanca Peak, CO)Tsoodził (Mt. Taylor, NM)Dook’o’oosłííd (San Francisco Peaks, AZ)

Photo from Harrison Lapahiewww.lapahie.com/Mt_Hesperus.cfm

Photo from Weather Undergroundwww.wunderground.com/wximage/viewsingleimage.html

Photo from Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Taylor_(New_Mexico)

Photo from Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Peaks

What are our Creation

Stories about?

Artwork by Hoke Denetsosie (Diné) from “The Sacred” (Beck, Walters & Francisco, 1977)

Destruction andRenewal of Worlds

Artwork author unknown from “The Sacred” (Beck, Walters & Francisco, 1977)

Photo by Casey Kahn-Thornbrugh, 2009

Photo courtesy of CLIMAS, University of Arizona 2006

Algonquin Story of Old Man Winter

(Mi’kmaq & Wampanoag versions: also

A Haudenosaunee-Seneca version)

Artwork, Old Man Winter by Mary Arquette from “Children of the Morning Light”

Algonquin Story of Old Man Winter

Mi’kmaq & Wampanoag versions: Also

A Haudenosaunee-Seneca versionClimatic elements• Snow & ice• Long term winter• Warmth• Arrival of Spring and

Summer seasons

Instructions/Lessons• Humility• Endurance & strength in

winter.• Negotiation & reason

Diné Creation Story(should be told in winter only)

Only basic climate elements & instructions mentioned here:

•A journey through four worlds

•Each world experiences an environmental and evolutionary change

•New elements of climate and physical geography gained in each world

•New instructions and lessons for humans gained in each world

First World

Climatic elements• Gathering of gases, air &

an atmosphere• Establishment of four

directions and winds• Gathering of primary

elements: fire (light), earth, water & wind (air)

• Creation of male and female elements (male &

female rain)

Instructions/Lessons

• Respect the elements, especially “fire.”

• Remain committed to your word.

• Safeguard your spouse’s concerns and well being

Male Rain

Diné story of the creation of Diné story of the creation of NNííłtsą Biką’ (Male Rain) & Nłtsą Biką’ (Male Rain) & Nííłtsą łtsą

Bi’áád (Female Rain)Bi’áád (Female Rain)

Female Rain

Photo from National Weather Service

Photo from Genome Outreach to Native Americans, National Science Foundation 2006www.lawrencelab.org/Outreach/2006/Rain.html

Second World

Climatic elements• Snow and ice

Instructions/Lessons

• Respect all elements related to the water and air.

Third World

Climatic elements• The people learn planting

& harvesting• Flooding

Instructions/Lessons

• Leave all animals alone if one has no purpose for them.

• Have respect for all living things, especially offspring.

Fourth World

Climatic elements• Heat and dryness

Instructions/Lessons

• Be persistent, but remember there is a price (hard work) for everything gained.

• Offer precious things such as gems or corn pollen when taking or extracting something from the environment.

Fourth World

Climatic elements• Heat and dryness

Instructions/Lessons• Take quiet time to observe

the environment.• Take notice of when the

first spring thunder occurs.• Understand the

interdependency between the living and non-living worlds.

• Respect the natural as you would respect own body

Tohono O’odham Story Tohono O’odham Story of of Hewel c Ju:kHewel c Ju:kĭ (Wind & ĭ (Wind & Rain)Rain) (also a story for winter)(also a story for winter)

Wind & Rain and O’odham Himdag (Way of living)

Photo from 2007 Weather and Climate ClassTohono O’odham Community College

Photo from 2007 Weather and Climate ClassTohono O’odham Community College

Tohono O’odham Story of Tohono O’odham Story of Hewel c Ju:kHewel c Ju:kĭ (Wind & Rain)ĭ (Wind & Rain)

Climatic elements• Wind• Rain• Drought• Monsoon rains

Instructions/Lessons• Consult community

during decision-making• Control one’s anger and

emotions• Respect elements of

climate (i.e. wind and rain) as you would other people

• Revere wind and rain each year

Western & Native American Western & Native American Perspectives of Weather and ClimatePerspectives of Weather and Climate

Putting perspectives into context