Deyhandiaouich Deyawennake, The Wendat World Creation

Long time ago, our Wendat people lived in the sky.

One day, a great disaster happened and the ground sank. Then, a Tree and a Woman fell through into the Great Water World.

At that time, large White Birds were swimming. When they saw the Falling Woman, they formed a circle, ready to receive her onto their feathered backs.

Suddenly, for the first time in this world, a Flash of Lightning was seen and Henon, the Thunder's Big Voice was heard.

Surprised, all the aquatic Animals gathered together. They decided to create an Island where the Woman will live and Handiaouich, the Big Turtle, the oldest of them, will bring the Island on her back.

One by one, Tawanda, the Otter, Ondatra, the Muskrat and Stoutaye, the Beaver dived into the deep water and tried to retrieve some earth trapped by the Sky Tree's roots.

During this long search, most of the Animals drowned. Hereafter, all chances of success seemed impossible.

Then, Shoshone, our Grandmother the Toad came and took her turn. She dived into the water and disappeared for a long time; finally, she surfaced, her mouth was large open and full of earth.

When the Little Turtle look at her floating, she quickly went to retrieve this small amount of earth and spread it all around the Big Turtle's Shell. At that time, all the Aquatic Animals saw this Earth growing and becoming an Island.

This is why, since that day, the Wendat people call our Continent, Deyhandiaouich Deyawennake, "The Great Island upon the Big Turtle's Back".

Sources and Credits
Composition of the texts made from several stories collected by Marius Barbeau in 1904. Musical Adaptation made from "Atalanteh," a Lorette Huron's old song. Interpretation/Adaptation/Narration: Mireille Siouï. Illustration: Mireille Siouï. Audio record: Animasoft Studio (Qc)