A wolverene encounters a muskrat-woman at a riverbank, woos her to live on land, and together they raise five children. Each child—born by a unique means—is proclaimed by the wolverene to be the ancestor of a major human group (whites, Indians, Eskimos, Iroquois, and Negroes). When grown, their mother sends them to different lands, advising them to turn to white people whenever in need.
Source:
Ethnology of the Ungava District,
Hudson Bay Territory
by Lucien M. Turner
Smithsonian Institution
Bureau of American Ethnology
Annual Report 11, 1889-1890
Washington, 1894
► Themes of the story
Origin of Things: The story provides a mythic explanation for the origins of different human peoples.
Prophecy and Fate: The wolverene foretells the identity and destiny of each child before their birth.
Cultural Heroes: Each child is decreed to become the founding ancestor of a distinct human group.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Naskapi people
As a wolverene was wandering along the bank of a river he saw a muskrat swimming in the edge of the water. He accosted the latter animal with the inquiry, “Who are you? Are you a man or a woman?” The muskrat answered, “I am a woman.” The wolverene informed her that he would take her for a wife. The muskrat replied, “I live in the water; how can I be your wife?” The wolverene told her that she could live on the land as well as in the water. The muskrat went up on the bank to where the wolverene was standing. They selected a place and she began to prepare a home for them. They ate their suppers and retired. Soon after, a child was born. The wolverene informed his wife that it would be a white man and father of all the white people.
► Continue reading…
When this child was born it made a natural exit. In due time a second child was born which the wolverene decreed should be an Indian and the father of their kind. This child was born from its mother’s mouth. After a time a third child was born, and the wolverene announced it to be an Eskimo and father of its kind. This child was born ab ano. In the natural course of events a fourth child was born, and the wolverene decided it to be an Iroquois and father of its kind. This child was born from its mother’s nose. After a time a fifth child was born and the wolverene decreed it should be a Negro and father of its kind. This child was born from its mother’s ears. These children remained with their parents until they grew up. Their mother then called them together and announced to them that they must separate. She sent them to different places of the land, and, in parting, directed them to go to the white men whenever they were in need of anything, as the whites would have everything ready for them.
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Dreamtime Whispers 