While used to explain mysteries and transmit cultural values, the stories were also told for entertainment.  Storytelling was generally saved for long winter nights, when people stayed indoors, and was a much-anticipated event for the entire community.

The Raven

The basic premises of Native American creation mythology are intertwined with the natural world and frequently include animals that act as creators, messengers, protectors, guardians, and advisers.  They were often thought to possess human qualities and had the ability to speak, think, and act like humans.  Animals such as the coyote, bear, raven, spider, and turtle are often found in stories recounting the origin of a tribe.  They were thought of as spiritual guides or important players in the community’s daily existence.

Lowell Holmes

Raven carrying in his beak the sun, which he has stolen to bring light to the world.

An Eskimo tale.  In the beginning, Raven was born out of the darkness. Weak, unknowing of himself or his purpose, he set out to learn more about the area where he was walking.  He felt trees, plants, and grass.  He thought about such things and soon realized that he was the Raven Father, Creator of All Life.  He gathered strength and flew out of the darkness and found new land, called the earth.  Raven wanted living things to be on the earth, so he made plants.

One day, Raven was flying overhead and saw a giant peapod, and out came a man who was the first Eskimo.  Father Raven fed the man, creating caribou and musk oxen for him to eat.  Father Raven did this for many days, all the while teaching the man to respect his fellow creatures.  A woman was soon created for the man, and Raven taught the pair to make clothing, build homes, and make a canoe.  The two became parents.  Other men came from the peapods, and Raven fed and taught them too.  When they were ready, Raven made women for these men and they, too, became parents.  Soon the earth had many children.

Among the Haida.  Another origin story that includes Raven is that of the Haida tribe, whose homeland is located in present-day-British Columbia.  To the Haida, Raven is the Bringer of Light.  This is one version of their tale.