The Nez Perce people, also known as the Nimiipuu, have a rich oral tradition that includes many stories about their creation and origin. One of the most important and well-known of these stories is the Nimiipuu Creation story.
According to the Nimiipuu Creation story, the world was once covered in water. In this watery world, there were no humans, animals, or plants, only spirits. One of these spirits was Coyote, who was known for his cleverness and mischief.
Coyote decided to create land out of the water, so he called upon a group of other spirits to help him. Together, they built a bridge out of reeds that spanned the water, and Coyote walked across it to the other side. Once he reached the other side, he began to shape the land.
Coyote created the mountains and valleys, the rivers and lakes, and the trees and plants. He also created the first humans, the Nimiipuu, by shaping them out of clay. The Nimiipuu were given their own language, their own customs, and their own way of life.
Lapwai, Idaho, spring, 1877
Once the Nimiipuu were created, Coyote decided to teach them how to live in the world he had created. He taught them how to hunt, how to fish, and how to gather food. He also taught them about the spirits that lived in the world, and how to respect and honor them.
As time went on, the Nimiipuu multiplied and spread out across the land. They developed their own traditions, and they built their own communities. They continued to honor Coyote and the other spirits, and they passed down the stories and teachings they had learned from them to their children and grandchildren.
Today, the Nimiipuu Creation story remains an important part of Nez Perce culture and identity. It serves as a reminder of the Nimiipuu’s deep connection to the land and the spirits that inhabit it. It also reminds them of their own resilience and strength, as they have endured centuries of change and upheaval while maintaining their traditions and way of life.
So interesting! I loved teaching this when I taught 4th grade!
Yes, Idaho fourth-graders are very fortunate to be taught so much about Idaho’s History!