In the beginning, there was the Sky World, a realm above the clouds where spiritual beings lived in harmony. Among them was a pregnant woman known as Sky Woman, often called Aataentsic. One day, a hole opened beneath the roots of the great Tree of Life, and Sky Woman fell through it, descending from the heavens into the unknown below. At that time, the lower world was nothing but endless water, with no land where she could stand or give birth.
As Sky Woman fell toward the vast ocean, the water birds below saw her and understood her danger. Acting together, they rose into the air and caught her gently on their wings, slowing her fall and lowering her safely onto the surface of the water. Knowing she could not survive without solid ground, the animals gathered to decide how they might help her.
A great Turtle rose from the depths and offered its broad shell as a place of refuge. The Turtle lifted its back above the water, becoming the first foundation of the world. Yet its shell was bare and hard, unable to support life. The animals realized that soil was needed, and so they volunteered to dive into the deep ocean to retrieve earth from the bottom. The Beaver and the Otter, strong and skilled swimmers, tried first, but the waters were too deep and they returned exhausted and empty handed.
At last, the small Muskrat stepped forward, though everyone knew it was the weakest swimmer among them. Muskrat dove beneath the dark waters and disappeared for a long time. The animals feared it had drowned, but eventually Muskrat floated back to the surface, lifeless. When they pulled its body up, they found a small clump of mud clutched in its tiny paws. Though Muskrat had sacrificed its life, it had succeeded where others could not.
Sky Woman took the precious soil and placed it carefully on the Turtle’s shell. She began to move in a sacred dance, circling the shell with intention and gratitude, while planting seeds she had carried from the Sky World. As she danced, the soil spread and grew. The land expanded outward in all directions, forming forests, rivers, mountains, and plains. What began as a handful of mud became an entire continent, supported by the steady back of the Turtle. This living land became known as Turtle Island.
At its heart, the story of Turtle Island carries deep meaning. Creation is born from cooperation, not domination, and even the smallest being can play the most important role. The Earth is alive and deserving of respect, not ownership. Many Indigenous peoples believe that when the ground trembles, it is the Turtle shifting beneath the weight of the world, reminding humans to live gently upon its back. Sky Woman represents life, fertility, and the creative power of women, whose role is central to the continuation of the world.
Through this ancient story, Turtle Island is not just a place, but a living relationship between humans, animals, and the Earth itself. It teaches that balance, gratitude, and shared responsibility are the true foundations upon which the world stands.