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MiMaq Creation Story Analysis

Decent Essays

Mi’kmaq and Abenaki people use their creation stories to tell how things came to be in the world. These traditional stories are shared from generation to generation to help natives help define who they are as a unique group of people. Art, sculptures, carvings, songs, stories, and spiritual rituals are all ways where both native groups celebrate their culture and tell their creation story.
Mi’kmaq
The Mi’kmaq people live primarily in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The Mi’kmaq people have a tremendous amount of respect for their elders who give them wisdom about the world around them.
Mi’kmaq Creation Story Summary
The Mi’kmaq’s believed that all animals, plants, and birds were placed on the surface by the creator. The creation took seven stages:
• Stage 1 - Gisoolg, the great spirit created everything in the world according to the Mi’kmaq creation story. Gisoolg is represented by the sky and is reflected in all aspects of life.
• Stage 2 - The sun “Nisgam” created life. The sun connects the spirit world to the physical world.
• Stage 3 - The third level of creation was on the surface of mother Earth. The drumbeat represents the heartbeat of the earth. Mother Earth gives rise to people.
• Stage 4 – Gisoolg caused a lightning bolt to hit the ground creating the image of a human, shaped out of sand. After unleashing another bolt of lightning the human sculpture came to life and Glooscap, the first human, was created. Glooscap was stuck in the ground watching the world happen around him until a third lightning struck and released him from the ground. He explored the land but returned to the east where he was created. An eagle visited him and tells him he will soon be joined by his family who will help him understand the world around him.
• Stage 5 – Glooscap’s grandmother is born from a rock to teach respect and knowledge about the wind stars, seasons, plants, animals, and tides.
• Stage 6 – Gooslcap’s nephew is created as a gift from the ancestors, to offer visions of the future.
• Stage 7 – Gooslcap’s mother is created from a leaf. She brought the gift of color, understanding, and love.

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