There were hundreds of thriving unique nations
• Each had/has its own tradition of literature that was passed
down orally
– Families kept the tradition going;
– Ceremonies were another place where oral stories were retold
• Myths are an important part of Native American spiritual beliefs
– It is unknown where the stories originated
– They were written down only in the last 100 years
– These stories tell us how the world came to be
– Many rely heavily on a reverence of the natural world

Native Americans were on this Continent
CENTURIES before Europeans

http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/whsteachers/millerla/Multicultural%20Lit_files/Native%20Amer/Native%20American%20Creation%20Myths%20Basic%20

Notes.pdf

​• Myth–an anonymous oral story
– Relies on the supernatural to explain a natural phenomenon, human
behavior, or mystery
• Purpose
– Explains why the world is the way it is/they help make sense of the
world

Main Types of Native American myths

•Creation Myth
– Explains how human lives came to exist
– Explains the workings of the natural world
– Supports and validates social customs
– Guides people through the trials of living
– Instills a sense of the mystery of the universe and attempts to explain that mystery
•Origin Myth
– Explains why phenomena like the stars, moon, and sky came to be and why certain animals have certain characteristics
•Trickster Myth
– A trickster is a crafty creature or being who uses cunning to get food, steal precious possessions, or simply cause mischief. He disrupts the order of things, often humiliating others and sometimes himself. In Native
American traditions, the trickster takes many forms.
•Heroic Journey Myth
– Tells about a commonplace hero who finds himself on a journey filled with supernatural experiences and challenges - which he wins – and returns home with the power to improve his fellow man’s lives.

​2. Open the Unit 1 textbook & go to page 4

1. Open another tab & go to Schoology

PAUSE!!

After reading, we’ll come back and answer a few questions.
DON’T CLOSE THIS TAB