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TURTLE ISLAND

By Christine Sioui Wawanoloath

One of the creation myths of the world recounts that a woman descended from the sky to become the grandmother of all humans.

She was welcomed by the Great Turtle who offered her shell to make a country for Sky Woman.

Until today North America is called Turtle Island by First Peoples in memory of this creation myth. 

The author was freely inspired by the Wendat version of the legend. The small turtle clutching to Sky Woman’s womb, the Turtle’s dream, Woman Healer and Circle Warrior are creations of the author.
A female silhouette, Sky Woman, is next to a luminous tree and an opening in the sky. She seems to have fallen, as her arms and hair are thrown back.

Sky Woman lived in the cosmic world
Where the Light Tree is blooming

 
The woman has passed through the hole. Her body is in free-fall, in a dark space. Above her, we can see light through the opening. The woman is pregnant, with a round belly. Her belly and breasts resemble the contours of a turtle seen in profile. This is why it is said a little turtle was grabbing hold of her belly.

Leaning over a gap
At the foot of the Tree
She slipped and entered into the endless space

 
A luminous turtle flies through space. She symbolises the little turtle whispering secrets to Sky Woman.

Like a star she shone over the night
A small turtle clutched
With all her might to her womb
Whispering secrets of their fate

 
tortue

The animals living in a water bubble
Became frantic
Before the brightness coming toward them

 
The Great Turtle, like Sky Woman, can see visions of the future. In her spirit, she sees two children dancing merrily next to a clearwater stream. Fruit trees are growing under the sun in this marvellous setting.

A Turtle afloat in the deluge calmed them
I dream that I am a sky woman
I carry the embryo of a mysterious world
Let us prepare to greet her on my back

 
Sky Woman, as she falls, was able to grab seeds of life, such as the deer shown in this image.

Sky Woman was pursuing her journey
Her hands full of seeds
Of plants and animals
Torn out from the Sky World

 
When the birds see Sky Woman in free fall, they save her by gathering to form a compact mass supporting Sky Woman as they continue to glide. The woman, sitting on the birds, holds her belly tenderly.

Birds made her a feathered pillow
Cradling her softly
Until Turtle Island was ready to welcome her

 
The beaver, the muskrat and the otter are diving to the bottom of the water in an attempt to collect some mud. But they drown.

Turtle commanded to the animals
To bring back from the depths of the water
The soil from which peaks and vales would come out

 
The toad remains, and dives in turn into the waves.

Beaver, Otter and Muskrat dove
Never to return
Grandmother Toad alone
Brought back a few specks of mud

 
The toad has retrieved some mud, and spread it over the Great Turtle's shell, building up an island. The Great Turtle smiles at the creation of a country on her back.

They were laid on Turtle’s shell
That became Sky Woman’s country

 
Sky woman floats above the Great Turtle. Her arms are outstretched in a victory sign. She has finally reached her destination.

At last reunited they sang
We are indivisible in the Creation
I am She   She is I
We are forever full of Life

 
Sky woman is sitting next to the sea. She is wrapped up in a giant leaf that she is using as a blanket. She is holding baby in her arms.

The seeds from the Sky World
Grew rapidly
Allowing Sky Woman
To give birth to a daughter 
To whom both mothers offered
The song of the Univers

 
In this final image, the dazzling silhouette of a spirit is floating in the sky.

Woman Healer
And Circle Warrior
Will protect us
Recreating this World
Over and over

 

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