“The Otter,” Creation Oral History
Audio
Audio file url: https://www.historymuseum.ca/wp-teachers-zone/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Audio_Anishinabe-Origin-Story-Anishnabe.wav
Audio file url: https://www.historymuseum.ca/wp-teachers-zone/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Audio_Anishinabe-Origin-Story-Anishnabe.wav
Image
Video
Audio
Activities
LOOK
Listen to “The Otter” and then read the transcript. What are the key points of the story? What questions does it prompt?
THINK
Listen to “The Otter” narrative and then read the transcript. Choose another creation history from historymuseum.ca/history-hall/origins, listen to it and then read the transcript. What are some similarities and differences between the two oral histories?
Extension: Use a map of traditional Indigenous regions in Canada to determine where the oral histories you listened to originated. Do you think the geographic area impacts each narrative? Explain your answer using examples from the oral histories.
Hint: Think about the people, animals and plants that live in the geographic area.
THINK
This is an oral history that was passed down through generations of Algonquin Anishinabeg. As a primary source, is it more reliable or less reliable than a story that is written down? Discuss the question with a friend.
Remember: Both written and oral histories are told by people with their own particular perspective and motivation for sharing their stories. Today, historians consider oral histories to be just as reliable as those written down. Although in the past, that was not always the case.
DO
Find and learn about other creation stories from around the world. What are some similarities and differences between them?
Details
Date 2016
Materials Transcript
The Otter Narrated by: Joan Tenasco, Anishinabe (Algonquin) Kitigan Zibi, Quebec
These are the words that were given by a knowledge keeper who has since passed on. Written by: Rene Tenasco Ashkàbewis. Council member, 1993, Kitigàn Zìbì Anishinàbeg.
The Otter
It is said when the Great Spirit created the earth, he called a meeting with all the spirits. The Great Spirit discussed his intention to put human beings on the earth and they would play an important role in his creation. He asked the spirits how they wanted to help the people. Each spirit came forward and counselled with the Great Spirit on the ways they could and would help the people. Among these was the guardian spirit of the Otter. He went before the Great Spirit and said, “Because of my character and nature, I will help the people to work together in your creation. When they want to live in harmony with themselves and your creation, I will educate and instruct the people in teachings to protect their family and group. When they need me I will show the people the direction to unity. I will serve this purpose.” The Great Spirit approved of the Otter`s request and chose the Otter to be the guardian of unity for the Anishinàbeg.
Historical Context
Choose one of the three levels below to match your needs.
- Indigenous traditions, such as passing down oral histories through the generations, and archaeology work together to tell us the story of the past.
- This clip is from a recording of an ancient creation story from the Algonquin Anishinabeg community of Kitigan Zibi.
- It is narrated by Joan Tenasco in the Anishinabe language.
Indigenous cultural traditions and archaeological research are our keys to the very ancient past. Together, they tell the story of how the land took its present form and was first occupied by human beings. First Peoples remember their origins through oral histories passed down by elders from each generation. These narratives describe the creation of the world and how First Peoples came to live in it.
This clip is from a recording of an ancient creation story story from the Algonquin Anishinabeg community of Kitigan Zibi. It is narrated by Joan Tenasco in the Anishinabe language.
Indigenous cultural traditions and archaeological research are our keys to the very ancient past. Together, they tell the story of how the land took its present form and was first occupied by human beings. First Peoples remember their origins through oral histories passed down by elders from each generation. These narratives describe the creation of the world and how First Peoples came to live in it.
This clip is from a recording of an ancient creation story from the Algonquin Anishinabeg community of Kitigan Zibi. It is narrated by Joan Tenasco in the Anishinabe language.
- Indigenous traditions, such as passing down oral histories through the generations, and archaeology work together to tell us the story of the past.
- This clip is from a recording of an ancient creation story from the Algonquin Anishinabeg community of Kitigan Zibi.
- It is narrated by Joan Tenasco in the Anishinabe language.
Indigenous cultural traditions and archaeological research are our keys to the very ancient past. Together, they tell the story of how the land took its present form and was first occupied by human beings. First Peoples remember their origins through oral histories passed down by elders from each generation. These narratives describe the creation of the world and how First Peoples came to live in it.
This clip is from a recording of an ancient creation story story from the Algonquin Anishinabeg community of Kitigan Zibi. It is narrated by Joan Tenasco in the Anishinabe language.
Indigenous cultural traditions and archaeological research are our keys to the very ancient past. Together, they tell the story of how the land took its present form and was first occupied by human beings. First Peoples remember their origins through oral histories passed down by elders from each generation. These narratives describe the creation of the world and how First Peoples came to live in it.
This clip is from a recording of an ancient creation story from the Algonquin Anishinabeg community of Kitigan Zibi. It is narrated by Joan Tenasco in the Anishinabe language.
Summary
- Indigenous traditions, such as passing down oral histories through the generations, and archaeology work together to tell us the story of the past.
- This clip is from a recording of an ancient creation story from the Algonquin Anishinabeg community of Kitigan Zibi.
- It is narrated by Joan Tenasco in the Anishinabe language.
Essential
Indigenous cultural traditions and archaeological research are our keys to the very ancient past. Together, they tell the story of how the land took its present form and was first occupied by human beings. First Peoples remember their origins through oral histories passed down by elders from each generation. These narratives describe the creation of the world and how First Peoples came to live in it.
This clip is from a recording of an ancient creation story story from the Algonquin Anishinabeg community of Kitigan Zibi. It is narrated by Joan Tenasco in the Anishinabe language.
In-Depth
Indigenous cultural traditions and archaeological research are our keys to the very ancient past. Together, they tell the story of how the land took its present form and was first occupied by human beings. First Peoples remember their origins through oral histories passed down by elders from each generation. These narratives describe the creation of the world and how First Peoples came to live in it.
This clip is from a recording of an ancient creation story from the Algonquin Anishinabeg community of Kitigan Zibi. It is narrated by Joan Tenasco in the Anishinabe language.