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Native American Animism

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Native Americans believe that nature, animals, and a higher power work together in a synergetic relationship to foster the lives of human beings by providing resources, protection, and a guiding force by which to live. In the creation myths, “The Navajo Origin Legend,” “When Grizzlies Walked Upright,” “The Earth on Turtle’s Back,” and “The Iroquois Constitution,” these beliefs are shown through a variety of similar ways. Most of these include the use of animism, symbolism, and creation. However, while these stories have many correlative attributes, they also differ through their attitudes along with how they use these symbols and what Gods they may or may not have believed in.
Most Native American tribes believed in a sort of animism and therefore …show more content…

For example, in “The Navajo Origin Legend,” an eagle feather that symbolized protection was placed next to the corn that eventually turned into a man and a woman. An eagle was also used to represent a source of protection in the myth of “The Iroquois Constitution,” to watch over the confederacy and warn them of any harm. These examples show that these tribes valued the eagles existence as this bird was used to create the first humans and watch over the confederacy. Along with this species, in “The Earth on Turtle’s Back.” several other organisms were used to save the Chief's wife from falling to her death including swans, a loon, waterbirds, a turtle, a duck, and a muskrat. All of these creatures were seen by those who continued this myth as brave, courageous, and compassionate. Meanwhile, in "When Grizzlies Walked Upright," bears were seen as accepting creatures as they were okay with the Chief's daughter and a bear getting married and having children. However, in “When Grizzlies Walked Upright,” the bears were seen as a disgrace by the humans in the myth due to the Chief's daughter and a bear getting married and having children. Because of this, bears were seen with respect by the Natives as they thought the bears were their

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