The Oneida Creation Story is a foundational myth of the Oneida Nation, one of the original five nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (Iroquois Confederacy). It explains how the world came to be, the role of the Creator, and the connection between human beings, animals, and the natural world.

Like many Indigenous creation stories, the Oneida story reflects the values, beliefs, and spiritual connections of the people with their environment and the cosmos. Passed down orally for generations, the story varies in details depending on the storyteller, but the core elements remain consistent, highlighting the Oneida people’s deep relationship with nature and the universe.

The Sky World and the Fall of Sky Woman

The Oneida Creation Story begins in the Sky World, a celestial realm where spiritual beings lived long before the earth existed. The Sky World was a peaceful place, where the beings lived in harmony with one another and enjoyed the blessings of the Great Tree of Light, which stood at the center of their world. This sacred tree was massive, with luminous leaves and branches that stretched high into the sky, symbolizing life, light, and connection to the Creator.

The beings in the Sky World were forbidden from digging around the roots of the Great Tree, as it was sacred and connected to the balance of their world. However, one day, a woman, often referred to as Sky Woman or Atsi’tsiaka

(in some versions, she is called Tekawerahkwa), became pregnant. Some versions of the story suggest that her curiosity or desire for a new life led her to dig around the roots of the Great Tree. Others say she fell as a result of a disturbance or accident.

As she dug around the tree, the ground gave way, and Sky Woman fell through the hole created by the uprooted tree. Beneath her, there was only water and darkness, as the earth had not yet formed. Sky Woman’s descent from the Sky World set in motion the creation of the earth.

The Animals and the Formation of the Earth

As Sky Woman fell, she was noticed by the creatures that lived in the waters below. These water animals, including birds, turtles, beavers, and muskrats, saw her falling and immediately recognized the need to help her. They worked together to save her from drowning. According to the story, a great turtle rose from the water, offering its back as a platform for Sky Woman to land on.

Although she was saved from the waters, there was no land on which she could live. The animals decided to dive to the bottom of the deep waters to retrieve soil to create land for Sky Woman. One by one, they attempted to dive to the bottom, but the water was too deep, and each animal returned to the surface exhausted and empty-handed. Finally, the muskrat, a small but determined animal, volunteered to dive. The muskrat dove deeper and longer than the others, and though it lost its life in the process, it returned to the surface with a small amount of soil clenched in its paws.

The animals placed the soil on the back of the great turtle, and Sky Woman, using her powers as a celestial being, spread the soil across the turtle’s back, causing it to grow. As Sky Woman walked around, the land continued to expand, eventually forming what would become the earth. The turtle’s back, now covered in soil and life, became the island on which all living creatures would thrive. This is why many Haudenosaunee people refer to North America as “Turtle Island.”

The Birth of the Twins

As Sky Woman continued to live on Turtle Island, she gave birth to a daughter. Sky Woman and her daughter lived peacefully on the land, cultivating plants and sustaining themselves. Over time, the daughter grew into a woman, and she too became pregnant. However, the circumstances of her pregnancy were unusual, as some versions of the story suggest she was impregnated by the West Wind or a divine spirit.

The daughter carried twin boys in her womb. However, the twins were opposites in nature. One twin, often called Good Mind or Sapling (sometimes referred to as Sky-Holder), was gentle, thoughtful, and kind-hearted. He sought to create harmony and order. The other twin, often referred to as Bad Mind, Flint, or Destroyer, was cunning, mischievous, and destructive. His intentions were to challenge the balance and create chaos.

The birth of the twins was a difficult one. Good Mind was born in the natural way, but Bad Mind, in his impatience, forced his way out through his mother’s side, causing her death. The loss of Sky Woman’s daughter was a tragedy, but it set the stage for the ongoing struggle between the forces of good and evil in the world.

Creation of the Natural World

After their birth, the twins set out to shape the world. Good Mind took on the responsibility of creating the land, the animals, and the features of the natural world. He created rivers, mountains, plants, and animals, carefully designing each to have a purpose and contribute to the balance of the earth. He made the deer to provide food, the trees to offer shelter and fuel, and the fish to swim in the rivers.

Bad Mind, on the other hand, sought to undermine his brother’s creations. For every good thing that Good Mind created, Bad Mind attempted to corrupt or destroy it. He made dangerous animals, created treacherous landscapes, and filled the hearts of some creatures with fear and hostility. For example, when Good Mind created rivers to provide fresh water, Bad Mind filled some of them with rapids and whirlpools to make them dangerous.

The ongoing rivalry between the twins represented the duality of life, the balance between good and evil, creation and destruction, and harmony and chaos. While Good Mind sought to create a world that was peaceful and nurturing, Bad Mind’s actions reminded the Oneida people that life was full of challenges and hardships that had to be overcome.

 

The Final Battle between the Twins

The rivalry between Good Mind and Bad Mind culminated in a final confrontation. The brothers knew that only one of them could have dominion over the earth, and they agreed to a contest to decide the outcome. In some versions of the story, they competed in tests of strength, intelligence, or skill. In others, the contest took the form of a physical battle.

Ultimately, Good Mind, using his wisdom and strength, was able to outwit and defeat Bad Mind. However, even though Bad Mind was defeated, he was not destroyed. Instead, he was banished to the underworld, where his influence would continue to be felt in the form of sickness, death, and other negative forces in the world.

The victory of Good Mind over Bad Mind ensured that the earth would remain a place of balance, where both good and evil existed, but with the forces of good prevailing. This balance is a central theme in the Oneida Creation Story, as it reflects the Oneida belief in harmony with nature and the importance of maintaining balance in all aspects of life.

Sky Woman’s Legacy and the Importance of Balance

After the final battle between the twins, Good Mind continued to shape the world, ensuring that the earth would be a place of abundance and beauty. Sky Woman, though she had passed from the physical world, remained a revered figure in Oneida tradition. Her fall from the Sky World and the creation of the earth marked the beginning of the human journey on Turtle Island, and her legacy lived on in the values and beliefs of the Oneida people.

The Oneida Creation Story, like many Indigenous creation myths, emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things. The animals’ role in saving Sky Woman and creating the earth reflects the respect and gratitude that the Oneida people have for nature. The rivalry between Good Mind and Bad Mind serves as a reminder that life is full of challenges and that balance must be maintained in order to live in harmony with the natural world.

The story also underscores the cyclical nature of life and the importance of respecting the earth, the Creator, and all living beings. It teaches that creation is an ongoing process, one that requires care, wisdom, and respect for the forces of both good and evil.

13 Creation Myths in World History

Questions and Answers

 

What existed before humanity roamed the Earth in the Oneida creation story?

A vast ocean and darkness covered the world, with Sky-World, a realm of spirits and mystical beings, existing above the water.

Who was Sky Woman, and where did she live?

Sky Woman was a pregnant woman living peacefully in Sky-World, a beautiful realm inhabited by spirits and mythical beings.

What led to Sky Woman’s fall to Earth?

Sky Woman’s curiosity led her to explore a magnificent tree in Sky-World. As she dug around its roots, she accidentally fell through the clouds toward the water below.

How did Sky Woman avoid falling into the water after she fell?

Birds saw Sky Woman falling and swiftly flew up to catch her, preventing her from hitting the water. They then carried her to a sea turtle, who agreed to let her rest on his back.

What did Sky Woman do after she was saved by the animals?

Sky Woman wanted to bring life to the barren land, so with the help of the animals, she tried to create soil. Eventually, the muskrat dove deep into the water and retrieved a handful of dirt, which Sky Woman used to create Turtle Island.

What happened after Sky Woman settled on Turtle Island?

Sky Woman gave birth to a daughter, who later encountered a mysterious man and became pregnant with twin boys.