Iroquois Creation Story And Red Jacket: The Iroquois Creation Story

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Native American Culture Contrary to common belief, Native American culture is not savage nor is it cruel to its people or others. The culture is considerably unique to the usual American culture known to many today. When the white Americans came to the land, they believed that the Natives were of beastly behavior and senseless actions, which was the reason why the Natives repulsed the Puritans; in fact the whites were offended when told they had something in common with the Natives. Native Americans, however, are peaceful, accepting, hospitable, tremendously environmentally friendly and their way of life is inveterate with nature and their religious beliefs. Through reading The Iroquois creation story and Red Jacket: Reply to the Missionary …show more content…

The Iroquois creation story showcases their conviction on how the world started. Ironically, the Natives were oblivious to other creation stories, particularly the Genesis Christian creation story that appears to be absurdly similar to the Iroquois one. In addition, both stories shared an idea of a round figure that created the earth. The Genesis states “Then God commanded, “Let there be a dome to divide the water and to keep it in two separate places”—and it was done.” (Genesis 1:6-7) Whereas the Iroquois describes “After a time the turtle increased to a great Island and the infants were grown up—” (22) The Norton Anthology of American Literature enunciates that the Native Americans were people of the spoken word rather than the written one which is how their religion was propagated generation to generation. One can read, “There is, however, no actual transcription and translation of an Iroquois cosmogonic myth by a Native person until that of David Cusick—” (20) Seeing as the Natives stuck to an oral tradition, their manner of speaking was parallel to their way of believing. Due to their re can be exhibited in Red Jacket’s speech as a personification of their traditions, he remarked, “our seats were once large, and yours were very small; you have now become a great people, and we have scarcely a place left to spread our blankets; you have got our country, but are not satisfied; you want to force your religion upon us.” (230) the quote ideally represents the Natives’ graciousness and tolerance of

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