“Turtle Island: The Earth That Rose from Water”
Before there were mountains, before trees sang in the wind, and before rivers carved their paths, there was only sky and endless water.
In that time, the Sky Woman fell from the Spirit World above. As she descended, birds flew up to catch her, breaking her fall. But they could not hold her forever, and so the great Turtle rose from beneath the deep waters and offered his back for her to land upon.
The animals gathered — Beaver, Otter, and Muskrat — and dove beneath the water to find mud from the ocean floor. One by one they tried and failed, until at last, tiny Muskrat returned, barely breathing, holding mud in his paw.
Sky Woman took the mud and gently placed it on Turtle’s back. She danced in a circle, singing softly, and the land began to grow. Trees rose, rivers flowed, and life spread. This became known as Turtle Island, the land we now call North America.
The Turtle, with its ancient shell and quiet wisdom, carried the world upon its back. Its shell had thirteen large plates — one for each moon of the year — and was said to be the first calendar. It taught the people to move slowly, with care, and to carry their home and memories with them always.
Even now, when the people gather and give thanks, they honor the Turtle — not just as a creature, but as the Earth itself, steady and sacred.
And so, the people remember: we walk not on dirt or stone, but on the back of a living spirit.
