Bending and Blending
Many Native American emergence myths represent events that bend or blend the laws of nature. For instance, animals talk to humans, or fly to the stars.
The Wabanaki tell how the "memory of the beginning of time lies in the trees, plants, soil, rocks, water and air. For they are the very body of Earth Woman, the Mother of All Beings." The myth goes on to tell how Earth Woman gives each creature a gift to show the strong tie she shares with them. For instance, chipmunk wears the sunset on his cheeks, wolf talks to the moon, and bee is as swift and busy as the flowing streams.
Additionally, the Salish tell the story of an old woman who is childless. One day as she is searching for mussels, she finds a large shell with a baby inside. She works diligently to care for the child, who grows into a strong young man, who has supernatural powers. His skin glows, he never fails in his hunting, and he commands the wind. Eventually, he tells his foster-mother that he must leave, which causes her great sadness. However, he embraces her, explaining that she will never want for anything. He tells her to look for him in the sky, that way she will know the following day will be calm and bright. He then drapes a robin skin on himself, hugs the old woman and flies up into the sky. To this day, when the sky at sunset turns red and gold like a robin's breast, the People know the next day will be a bright one.