Native American Creation Stories
Within both of these stories Salinan and Cherokee they both have a view of animals creating the great discovery of the their new world but also have a lens that can tie this to religion and that God created the land. With the strong religious lens of both stories was the end goal for both groups the same but just founded differently through the path "God" gave them?
little Water-beetle,
Similar to the Salinan Coyote the little Water-beetle is the experiment. The animal that is going to sink or swim. Offering to explore this possible new world in order to bring light into the already unknown. Taking the belief that is established about earth already and see what more earth has to offer the founders of the people. The unexpected animals being the mastermind of trial and error. More than likely being this experiment because they are commonly found on the land already. So one being in danger is okay. Thus coming back with great success allows for better idolization among the other animals. A complex discovery turning into a holy grail and working from the bottom up is true importance.
Then the Bald Eagle called to Coyote who happened to be going by and said to him, “Do you see that woman?” Try her first!” Coyote was quite willing and complied, but immediately afterwards lay down and died. The Bald Eagle went away and left Coyote dead, but presently returned and revived him.
The Coyote isn't as sacred to the Bald Eagle but more of an experiment or useless animal. While Coyotes are hunters and prey the Bald Eagle uses that to advantage. In order to see if the Bald Eagle can execute a new world he has to see if this creation will work. So using his power he told the Coyote to try the women first because the Eagle knew the Coyote idolized him. In short threw the Coyote in the deep end and was like this will sink or swim. While the sinking occurred first that brought light to the Eagle and ultimately held more value to which he had to revive the Coyote back to life to swim.
Bald Eagle was the chief of the animals. He saw the world was incomplete and decided to make some human beings.
The Bald Eagle being chief is represented of the creator for Salians. Without the Eagle then their world wouldn't be created because the Eagle can fly so high and be the eyes needed. Hinting to why he saw the world being incomplete and creating humans. A community needed to be built and a story needed to be made. Holding power to build a lifetime creation. Also connecting to why the United States holds great value to the Bald Eagle because of the foundation and representation it brings. Founding new worlds with endless possibilities and being this idolizer that morally brought freedoms and liberty for all because it is the creator.