BEGINNING: 01.htm

This event, the Act of Creation, occurred in darkness in the Upper World that until that time was void, --empty of all things. As Creation unfolded layer by layer, the Upper World became populated with the things we now know and things yet to be discovered. This is commonly known information within our Tribal Town, Apalachicola or Pvlvcekolv in Old Creek.

SQUARE GROUNDS: 02.htm

Traditional Muskogee tribal life centered on great open plazas known as Square Grounds, often framed by one or more sheds called Arbors. At the center of each tribal town plaza, the community built and tended its own Sacred Fire around which all business was conducted, both sacred and mundane.

ORIGINAL TEACHINGS: 03.htm

Other stories tell of four Beings of Light who descended to the newly formed earth to instruct all Beings in the proper manner of their behaviors, their attributes, their gifts, and the dangers they could pose to other Beings. They brought First Instructions or Original Teachings to all. They are often pictured in two Sky-Canoes with the Milky Way presented as a Sacred River (or White Road) that souls travel after death.

FIRST TIME CREATING: perfection.htm

All things were perfect unto themselves, images of what they were to be when they grew into completeness as the stages of Creation unfolded. Trees did not look like rocks or rocks like flowers or rabbits like bears. As the Old Ones are fond of saying, "Why, they look just like themselves!" The Apalachicola idea of perfectness is that something can't be mistaken for something else. Flaws are incidental and of no major concern if correctable. Creation is thought to have occurred in several stages of growth rather than all once as in some other systems. These stages were, and are, models of how life was, and is, to be lived, say the Elders.

EXPERIENCE: 04.htm

The Apalachicola people have always felt very comfortable in a "laughing kinship" (relationship) with Creator, Whom they address with great sincerity but not without humor. To question or debate Creator’s ways is almost considered a right. Their explanations of Creator’s various contributions are oft-times described in spiritual depth but may also include great humor or irony. Occasionally disgusted, Creator, they say, is never angry. As they put, it just doesn’t fit the job description. That things are not always precise on the first attempt merely endears Creator more to the Apalachicola people who say they understand such minor problems and the corrective measures that would follow. This is cited as the example people must follow when faced with the imperfect or flawed actions of others. They call it "The Second Chance" obligation.

THE STORY: Story-only.htm

After all, this is only a story. You needn't concern yourselves with details. The "How and Why" of these various actions and antics does not really matter. Its not important.

SMOOTH SHELL 05.htm

At this time, Turtle’s shell was beautiful --so smooth, brilliant and shiny. Soon, Her shell would be severely damaged. It would come to mark the end on one phase of Creation and the beginning of another. This early time is called the "Smooth Shell Days." It was a time when all animals and other "Beings" could talk and jointly governed the earth and all on it. Some call it the Mythic Times, others just say it is our early history.

FORM AND SUBSTANCE: 06.htm

Form and Substance are two of the four qualities believed necessary to define "Being."

TOOLS: Tools.htm

One by one, all the abilities, emotions, passions and tools of life were revealed from within through experience and self discovery. Tiredness, fear, anguish, compassion, contentment, memory, sharing and oh so much more, all have their roots in Creation say the Apalachicola Elders wisely.

HABITS: 07.htm

Wise the man who thinks like a deer. He is a great hunter. Wise the deer that can think like a man. It is never hunted. An Apalachicola proverb told in "Medicine Schools."

A BIRD IS SINGING: 08.htm

"Fuswv yvhiket omes," [phoos-wuh yuh-HAY-gi’dohm-es] is a phrase of praise said in early mornings --literally: "A bird is singing."

THUNDERBIRDS: 09.htm

Some say Thunderbirds are actually the Spiritual Offspring of that first Anhinga, Water Turkey. The Water Bird's association with water and rain makes the thunder connection logical to the Apalachicola. Many say that when not in the sky, rainbows sleep draped across an Anhinga’s tail. You can see one if you look hard at their tail feathers in sunlight.

SECURITY: 10.htm

Each Being earned or was given special helpfulfeatures along with protective features orweapons, too. Such is the nature of the "Duality" that enfolds all things.

ANIWEDA: 11.htm

Aniweda [in Creek, Vnewetv] refers to the whole original land that had no divisions except for natural boundaries such as rivers, mountains, oceans, forests and the like. It was called the "Back of the Turtle" in honor of Turtle’s task in securing land for all Beings. It is not actually a Turtle’s back, they say.

WISDOM: 12.htm

Any Apalachicola will tell you that Turtle did not heed nor use Creator’s gift of Wisdom.

THEY CAME: 13.htm

As none had yet eaten anything, it is said that this was the first Fast, too.

APPOINTED PLACE: 14.htm

Thus, the foundation for the first Great Square Ground began to form. You can still see that "Big House" in the Sky many nights.

PURPOSE and PLACE –purpose-place.htm

Form and Substance are two of the four qualifying attributes believed necessary to define "Being." Purpose and Place are the other two. All "Beings" in the Middle World, our Earth, possess all four attributes: Form, Substance, Purpose, Place. "Beings" in the "Other (Lower) World," place of chaos and confusion, generally possess only two or three attributes at the most. Perhaps this is one of the sources of the "Other World's" confusion. Shape-shifters, for instance, are associated with or originate from that world and are said to be without definite or solid form. Therefore, they can easily assume any shape. Netche Grey told several of us in 1966 at New Tulsa that he once knew a man who was an upright preacher in his community for 20 years, married, had children and was well thought of. One day, that all changed. His wife was looking out the back door one evening just after sunset and saw her preacher husband walking toward the patch of woods nearby. A few minutes later, a rabid wolf emerged, attacked a prize horse then killed a man walking down the road the preacher didn't particular care for. A policeman from Porum was visiting nearby, witnessed the attack on the man and killed the wolf with much difficulty. When all walked over to examine the wolf--it was no longer there were it fell. Meanwhile, the family's yellow "Indian dog" was found at the edge of the woods eating some type of entrails. The preacher man was never seen again. That shape-shifter must have impersonated a man for at least 20 or 25 years. "You never know!" Netche said. Barney Leader and Sam Francis spoke up and said they had heard about that incident, too. "Beings" of the "Upper World," place of cosmos and order have at least two additional qualifying attributes, six or more total (7 ?), some tell us.

FIRST CALLING: 15.htm

Four times Creator called all together in the Great House still seen in the Sky. With each "calling" those who listened grew or changed in many ways and matured in stature. Some, however, did not listen or did not remember. We still have four ceremonial "Callings" today at the Apalachicola Square for the "listeners," those who practice the Busk or Fast.

MORNING SONG: 16.htm

Today’s "Knowers" (a class of Medicine people) identify healing plants because they have learned to hear Their soft songs. Or, the plants have chosen them to hear songs of Their virtues.

FIRST INSTRUCTIONS: 17.htm

At each of the four Callings, two Beings of Light descended the Great River (Milky Way) and spoke Creator’s Words & Wisdom. To this day, we still use a Speaker for our leaders who each also have an Apotkv or "Second" so that they may truly represent the whole. Creator’s example showed the whole is always of two parts. The four stages of life, it is said are also related to the four Callings of Creator.

TWO NATURES: 1.htm 8

The Duality of Creator --the spiritual and material nature or physical and non-physical, was now established. The "two-ness" of all things, "Duality," would forever be a major component of the Muskogee Way.

THE FIRE: 19.htm

Although it was a sacred charge from One Above, the Creator, Bears grew lazy and neglected their Fire duties. Bear Clan may prepare and set a New Fire but others, not Bear Clan, must tend it.

BERRY AND BLOSSOM -Wild Onions.htm

Wild Onions, Tafvmpoce, are the harbingers of Spring. They are proof that Winter is fleeing. It is said that the color of their flowers is the color of Winter's backbone now breaking and splintering. With the appearance of Wild Onions, the sleepy ceremonial year rubs it eyes awake and begins gathering folks in public community again. After Wild Onions have been gathered and eaten, attention turns to the Mulberry Tree. When its five-petaled white blossoms appear, it is time to prepare for the forth coming Berry & Arbor Dance, the Spring Busk. When its berries have reddened, the B & A Busk will be at hand, first Medicine Fast of the year.

ADDENDA: Elsewhere and in previous articles there are explanations of "Kepayv," the importance of mulberry as a ceremonial marker and the ceremonial divisions of Red and White -the War and Peace towns. At Apalachicola, the mulberry still remains a beloved herald of many things. In most Creek Squares today its importance and use has largely faded. More information will be forth coming soon.

ELDERS TOLD IT TO US: 20.htm

The first modern telling of The Apalachicola Creation Story in English was at the dedication of the Council of Three Rivers in Pittsburgh, Pa., during winter 1975-76, at the requests of Dr. Burrells, Bill Hayes and Dr. Rosemary McCombs Maxey. A second telling included Dr. Charlotte Heth, Dr. David McAlester, Darius Brubeck, Dr. Alan Merriam, Mark and Conrad Cummings and Dr. Dale Olson at the 1976 Ethnomusicology Conference in Connecticut and then finally in NYC at the American Museum of Natural History with Dr. Margaret Mead, the Brooklyn Art Museum, and the National Bicentennial Conference for Native Americans at Long Island University directed by Dr. Michael Hittman and lastly at Columbia University and Barnard College with Dr. John Attinassi, linguist. It was a wonderful and productive tour which is still benefitting the Apalachicola community after all these years.