Cree Creation Story

The Cree Creation Story: How the World Came to Be

The Cree Creation Story: How the World Came to Be

By Katen Kelly

Growing up, we were taught lessons in the form of stories. My brother and I would sit quietly with our relatives, listening in awe as they wove long, vivid tales filled with colour, sound, and wisdom. These stories weren’t just for entertainment; they carried the teachings of our ancestors, which were passed down through generations. 

Our favourite stories were those of Wîsahkêcâhk. Wîsahkêcâhk is both a trickster and a teacher, sometimes wise and sometimes foolish, but always leaving a lesson behind. One of the first and most important stories we learned was the “Creation Story,” also known as the “Earth Diver Story.” 

I want to share this story not only because of its beauty but because storytelling is a tradition that must be practiced to be kept alive. Stories are more than words; they are connections to who we are, the land, and those who came before us. 

In the very beginning, the world was covered in water. There was no land, only a vast body of water stretching endlessly in all directions. High above, the Creator watched over everything, accompanied by the spirits of the sky. 

One day, Wîsahkêcâhk found himself floating above the waters. He looked around and saw nothing but the great waves. There was no solid ground to stand on, nowhere for the animals to live. He knew something had to be done. 

Wîsahkêcâhk called upon the water animals, asking if any of them could dive down and bring up even the smallest piece of earth. He told them that if they could find even a handful of mud, he could shape it into land. 

The strongest swimmers stepped forward first.  

Loon dived beneath the waves, disappearing into the deep. The animals waited as bubbles rose to the surface. After some time, Loon returned, gasping for air. "It is too deep," he said. "I could not reach the bottom. 

Otter was next. He took a deep breath and plunged beneath the waves. The animals waited, but Otter, too, came back empty-handed. "The bottom is too far," he admitted. 

Then Beaver tried. He was strong and determined, swimming down with all his might. The animals watched the water ripple, hoping he would succeed. But Beaver, too, returned with nothing, exhausted from the journey. 

The animals began to worry. If the strongest among them could not reach the bottom, who could?

Then, a small voice spoke up. It was Muskrat, the tiniest of them all. "I will try," he said. 

Some of the animals doubted him, but Wîsahkêcâhk nodded. "Go, little one," he said. "Do your best." 

Muskrat took a deep breath and slipped beneath the water. He was gone for a long, long time. The animals watched the surface, waiting. Time passed, and still, Muskrat did not return. 

Finally, his tiny body floated up, limp and motionless. The animals rushed to him, fearing he was gone. But when Wîsahkêcâhk gently lifted Muskrat’s small paw, he saw a tiny bit of mud clutched tightly in his fingers. The little one had given everything to bring back the sacred earth. 

Wîsahkêcâhk took the mud and placed it on the back of Turtle, who had been listening silently the whole time. "I will carry it," Turtle said. 

With the help of The Creator, Wîsahkêcâhk spread the small bit of earth across Turtle’s back. As he worked, the land began to grow and stretch. It spread in all directions, forming hills, valleys, rivers, and forests. Soon, the land covered the vast waters, and life could begin. 

The animals rejoiced, knowing they now had a home. Wîsahkêcâhk looked upon the new world and smiled. "This is Turtle Island," he said. "This is our home." 

And so, from the sacrifice of the smallest and the strength of the earth itself, the land we live on was formed. 

This story is one of my favourites because it teaches us about humility, sacrifice, and the interconnection of all beings. It is not always the biggest or strongest who make the greatest difference, it is those with the most heart and determination.

I think about Muskrat’s story often, especially in moments when I feel small or unsure of my place in the world. Whether in school, in research, or in life, we all face challenges that seem too vast, too deep, too impossible. But this story reminds me that even the smallest effort can create something lasting.

Storytelling is one of our most powerful teachings. It connects us to the past, guides us in the present, and helps us shape the future. May we always honour these stories and keep them alive so they are never lost.