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Makinauk

© Virginia Marin

There are many legends which tell of the creation of Mackinac Island, but none touch the heart like this version from Native Americans about the great turtle, Mak-i-nahk. Native legend and folklore of the Great Lakes Region tell us that long ago there was an enormous sea turtle who spent his days lulling peacefully on the water, enjoying the warmth of the sun. One day the Great Spirit told him that it was time for the creation of a new world and asked the turtle if he would kindly participate by yielding assent for his back to be used for its creation. This is the legend of that event and of Makinauk, the turtle.

Once, a very, very long time ago the earth was covered with water. There was no land. There were no people. Only water creatures - beavers, otters, turtles, muskrat, loons and, of course, fish.

Now, every day Makinauk floated on the water of the great sea, relaxing in the warmth of the sun, and diving to munch on nice green seaweed. His friends were always close by to talk with him and to play games in the water. Makinauk was much older so it was always he who entertained them with songs and stories about their world of water.

One day as Makinauk was enjoying a nap, the voice of the Great Spirit spoke to him. "Makinauk. Makinauk. It is time to build a new world. Would you give your strong back to be its foundation?" Of course, the kind turtle agreed to be of help and offered his entire being if required.

The Great Spirit told him that one of them must go to the bottom of the sea and return with one handful of rich wet soil which should be placed upon his back. This was to be the beginning of the brand new world.

Makinauk told his friends of the charge, and the loon immediately said that she would go. And the turtle sang to her...

"I shall give to you a special home
Upon my weathered back,
Where rivers run beneath the sun
In red and gold and black.
To rest upon the water blue,
A land so new, a land so new."

So the loon went into the water deep, and down and down she went. She scooped at the earth, but none would stay in her bill. Sadly she returned to the light and expressed much sorrow to the turtle.

The hard-working beaver was next to go and he cut the water before being missed. Reaching the bottom, beaver scooped the rich soil onto his tail and began his journey to the surface. But upon reaching the turtle none was to be found. He shed a tear of anguish that he, too, had failed the Great Spirit.