The Turtle Clan (A'no':wara)

The TURTLE CLAN is one of the principal clans of the Mohawks. They are the protectors of the environment. The Turtle symbolizes our entire Earth, and therefore is associated with respect of the Earth and Earth Elements. The Mohawks believe that the turtles shell represents the earth and that all life grows out from it's shell.

The North American Continent is called "Turtle Island" in Native American mythology and legend. The world of the USA aboriginals lived on the back of the Turtle, much like Atlas was thought to have supported the world on his shoulders. Turtle Clan members are the examiners of the state of things within the tribal unit. They take issues to the Wolf Clan first and the Bear Clan second, only after the turtle sachems and wolf sachems have discussed a matter fully. Bear then studies the Great Laws and decides if the issue can be solved. Turtle teaches us to be patient with others, and to never give up on an issue worth fighting for. The Turtle clan is strong, wise and is well respected.

Turtles are more ancient than any other vertebrate animal. Turtles carry their home on their backs. The shell is their backbone and ribs. Turtles are omnivorous. They eat insects, plants, fish, amphibians, and even small mammals on occasion. Turtle symbolizes peace of mind. Turtles have slow metabolisms and teach us to slow down. Turtle Clan members perform best in calm, ordinary and normal day-to-day activities. They do not like surprises.

Turtle Clan people tend to withdraw themselves from others making it difficult to really get to know them. They are moody and tend to shy away from anything new. (Porter, Tom, Clanology. North American Indian Traveling College, 1993) The Turtle Clan is an earth clan. Turtle reminds us to care for, protect, and nurture Mother Earth. Earth people are said to be stable and constant in their opinions, ideals, and ideas. They are dependable and loyal, but with a tendency to become too rigid or stubborn. Turtles can live on both the earth and in water. Thus Turtle Clan members are reputed to be very adaptable to life's traumas.

The Earth on Turtle's Back (the Onondaga version)

Before the Earth existed, there was only water. In the Clouds was Skyland, where a sacred Great Tree grew. The Great Tree had branches that pointed to the four cardinal directions (North, South, East, and West).

An ancient chief lived in Skyland. His wife was with child and she had a dream that the Great Tree was uprooted. Dreams were very important to the "Ancient Chief." The chief and his men tried to pull the tree loose, but the taproot was very deep.

Finally, the "Ancient Chief," using all his energy, managed to loosen the soil from around the tree. It was uprooted and laid upon its side. However, the tree left a large hole in Skyland. The chief's wife looked down the hole and saw something glittering like water. She steadied herself on the branches of the Great Tree. However, the branch snapped and broke and she fell down endlessly. Two Swans saw this woman and flew up to help her so as to cushion her fall. They then realized that the woman was not like them...she did not have webbed feet or waterproof feathers. This creature could not live in the water. All the animals decided that she would die if they did not think of a plan to save her.

After much discussion, they decide that she was made to live on Earth. However, the only Earth was at the bottom of the continuous oceans and streams. The Duck, the Beaver, and the Loon all tried to bring Earth from the bottom to the top of the water. They all failed. Then the Muskrat, decided to try. He took on a determined look and went up and down, until finally he loosened some Earth. However, they knew Earth did not float on water, so Turtle volunteered to carry Earth on his back. Muskrat put Earth on Turtle's back, but her paw marks still remain to this day.

After Earth reached Turtle's back, it began to increase in size until it became what we today call Turtle Island (North America). The Swans flew down carrying Sky Woman to her new home. Sky Woman relaxed and opened her hand (that held those leaves and seeds from the Great Tree). The seeds fell to Earth, germinated and many new trees grew on Turtle Island. Life on Earth had begun. Today Mother Earth provides us with food, air, water, and shelter. Turtle with the Great Tree on his back is the symbol of the Iroquois Nation.

Formation of the Turtle Clan:

The Formation of the Turtle Clan was told as a story about mud turtles in a small lake or pond. During an especially dry summer, the pool dried up. The turtles then had to walk to find a new source of water. One rather plump turtle had difficulty making this trip, since he was not used to exercising. The sun blistered his shell until the heat penetrated and blistered his shoulders. His pain caused him to throw off his shell. Now without his shell he was unprotected from the elements. He had to find shelter and make many changes in his life. He went through many transformations and eventually became a man. This man was said to be the progenitor of the Turtle Clan.

"The turtle came afloat and he shared all he knew Said nothing's more Sacred than the natural truth Then writing in the ivory sand The message that I now understand Welcome to the natural land".

Excerpt from The Natural Place by David Black.

Contact us for additional information:

Phone: 914-361-9703
E-mail: info@turtleclan.com

For information on air quality and news relating to sustainable building options check out Lesley's Blog.