The European invasion of North America changed the lives and culture of Native Americans. Tribes were gradually forced to adopt the customs and beliefs of the settlers. By looking at three stories from different periods of time, it is obvious that European culture had an effect on the tales tribes passed down from generation to generation. Each story, of three selected, involves the creation of mankind. Most of the colonials were Christians under the Roman Catholic Church, and laughed at the beliefs of the Native Americans they encountered. An evolution is seen as the stories progress. In the first account, Native American tradition and belief is apparent, however, by the third and final story Eurpoean influence is clearly noted and the story seems to have been changed to parallel the European beliefs of creation. The first account, “The Indians of New Netherlands Account for the Creation” dates back to 1650. During this time period (mid-seventeenth century) there was an influx of Europeans, however, the Native American tribes were still independent and fought for their freedom and land. This first story seems to be the least changed by European influence. During the seventeenth century, the Dutch inhabited the land of New Netherlands and built a trade network with the Iroquois Confederacy; thus started the change in Native American culture. The first interpretation of the creation of life begins with a goddess who descends onto a body of water and as she lowers herself, the area beneath her becomes land. Plants and vegetation grew to a vast extent. Then, the goddess gave birth to three creatures: one like a deer (timid); one like a bear (brave and just); and one like a wolf (deceitful). With each proceeding labor, the goddess gave birth to a creature that resembled one of the first three mentioned, resulting in a variety of species.
The author of the first article does mention that the Native American Interpretation of the creation does not parallel the first two chapters of Genesis or even include the recollection of Adam and Eve. However, in the second story, “The Origins of Ottawa Society Recalled by Nicholas Perrot” from 1720 the creation of women is firmly noted (paralleling the story of Eve), as well as her necessary contribution to the tribe. The story begins with the idea that humans were created from the corpses of the first animals who died. Therefore, the villages of people named themselves after which animal they derived. One day while the men were hunting they encountered the “Great Hare” who, in a similar respect to the Christian belief, asked the men why are they afraid and to not be because he was their creator. The Great Hare then gave the men a companion. As he did such, he outlined the roles of the men (hunting, carpentry) and women (cooking, rearing of children). The author makes mention in the last lines of his article that the Native American beliefs are based on “ridiculous and extravagant notions” and implies that any Native American in their right mind would hide their beliefs in shame.
The final story, “Remaking the World: A Sioux Story” dates to 1935. By now, Native American culture is diminishing rapidly and many of the people and tribes have died out. Native Americans have adopted the Eurpoean beliefs and customs. This final story details the “remaking” of the world and the destruction of the previous. This story most resembles the Christian one of a man named Noah and the great flood that covered the entire earth as well as the theory of evolution of the earth. In this story, the “Creating Power” decided to flood the earth because it was evil. After he had done so, he floated on the “sacred pipe and on his huge pipe bag” and he drifted along the water for a long time. A crow then appeared and asked the power three times for a place to rest. In his bag, there were all of the animals (just as in the Christian version, Noah filled his ark with all of the animals). First he commanded a loon to retrieve mud from beneath the water, but the water was too deep. Second, he commanded a beaver to do the same, but still, he could not do so. Finally, the power commanded a turtle in the same manner, and eventually the turtle returned with earth in his claws and on his shell (just as the Christian version recalls Noah releasing three birds from the ark to see if one would bring back a twig). The “Creating Power” then took the mud from the turtle and spread it on the water, which created the entire body of water into land so that he and the crow would have a place to rest. He scattered animals all about the land and when he stomped his feet, they came to life. Then the power goes on to say that he has “created a rainbow for you as a sign that there will be no more Great Flood.” Christians, alike, use the same example when describing the flood and the rainbow is a symbol that there will never be another vast flood over the entire earth. Virtuous guidelines are also included as the power commands the people to live in peace with everyone and all animals. This was the third world created according to this story. As with Christian biblical account, the Creating Power warned the people that if they were destructive that he would then again destroy the earth. By reviewing these three stories, the severity of European influence on the Native Americans is obviously noted.
I'm impressed with the author's clarity and ability to seeminglessly sift through sentences so easily. The author sums up all three stories without ever losing the thesis or flow of the post. The ending was great, the whole time the author was focused on the stories and avoided generalizing too much about culture or aspects of history.
I like this part of the post: "During the seventeenth century, the Dutch inhabited the land of New Netherlands and built a trade network with the Iroquois Confederacy; thus started the change in Native American culture."
Minor weak points are that the thesis should be underlined and paragraphs better spaced. Good work.
Posted by: Nhat Pham | September 27, 2004 at 04:48 AM