Atahensic, Huron Creation Myth

Sky Woman appears in the mythology of indigenous peoples throughout the Great Lakes region and adjacent parts of North America. The exact narrative describing her myth varies from tribe to tribe. I was drawn to a version about Atahensic, the Huron Sky Woman. In her story, the world begins as water, only water animals exist until Atahensic falls from the sky. Two loons notice her falling and hurry to catch her. They float together, providing a soft raft for her to rest upon.

Atahensic Falls original painting available through Saatchi Art. Stickers, prints, and other merch available in shop or through Redbubble or Fine Arts America.

But she can't live on the backs of two loons forever, so the loons call to the other animals for help. Snapping Turtle is the first to hear the call. She calls the other animals. Atahensic requires earth on which to live, so turtle commands the animals to dive down and bring up earth. Beaver and muskrat try, but when they surface there is no earth in their mouths. Others try, stay down too long, and perish. Finally, toad dives down. She returns with a mouthful of earth. The earth is piled on and around Turtle's shell until it forms land, then a country.

Turtle Island original painting available through Saatchi Art. Prints and merch available in shop or through Redbubble or Fine Arts America.

To this day, Turtle holds up the world. Atahensic was able to live on the new land. There, she gave birth to a daughter, and then to twin boys. One boy was born the regular way, the other clawed his way out through her side, killing her. From her divine corpse grew all of the plants need for life on earth. Pumpkin vines grew from her mouth, corn from her chest, and beans from her legs.

Atahensic's Gift original painting available through Saatchi Art. Prints and other merch available in shop or through Redbubble or Fine Arts America.

Sources: https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Huron-Creation-Myth-Wyandot.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atahensic

https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/aborig/fp/fpz2f22e.html

http://www.native-languages.org/morelegends/sky-woman.htm

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