Why North America is Called Turtle Island: A Deep Dive into Indigenous Foundations
North America, for countless millennia, has been known by another name: Turtle Island. This isn’t merely a poetic moniker; it is a profound testament to the enduring presence, rich spiritual traditions, and deep-seated connection Indigenous peoples have with this continent. Far from being a recent invention, the name "Turtle Island" predates colonial maps and Eurocentric nomenclature, serving as a foundational concept in the creation stories and worldviews of numerous Native American and First Nations communities across the continent. To understand why this land is called Turtle Island is to journey into the heart of Indigenous identity, history, and stewardship.
At its core, the designation of "Turtle Island" stems from ancient creation myths shared by diverse Indigenous nations, stretching from the Great Lakes region down to the American Southeast and across the Eastern Woodlands. While the specifics of these narratives vary—reflecting the unique languages, cultures, and environments of each nation—a common thread weaves through them: the world, or at least this continent, was formed on the back of a giant turtle.
One of the most widely recognized versions comes from the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, which includes the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora nations. Their story recounts how, in a world above the clouds, a pregnant woman known as Sky Woman fell through a hole in the sky. As she descended towards an endless expanse of water, various water animals—ducks, loons, beavers, and muskrats—rushed to help. The Great Turtle offered its back as a resting place. The Muskrat, after several failed attempts by larger animals, bravely dove deep into the water and emerged with a handful of earth, which Sky Woman then spread onto the Turtle’s back. This small patch of soil miraculously grew, expanding to form the vast land we now inhabit. Sky Woman then gave birth to twins, who further shaped the world, bringing forth plants, animals, and the balance of nature.
Similar narratives resonate across other Indigenous cultures. The Anishinaabe (Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi) peoples of the Great Lakes also share a Turtle Island creation story. Following a great flood that submerged the world, Nanaboozho (the culture hero) and the animals sought a patch of earth. Again, it was the humble Muskrat (or sometimes the Otter or Beaver) who succeeded in bringing up soil, which was then placed on the back of the diving turtle, forming the land. For the Lenape (Delaware) people, whose ancestral lands spanned parts of present-day New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, the creation myth similarly places the earth upon a massive turtle. "Our earth is supported by a big turtle," a Lenape elder might explain, "and when the turtle moves, we have earthquakes." These stories are not mere fables; they are foundational historical, spiritual, and ecological texts that define Indigenous peoples’ relationship with the land.
The symbolism inherent in the Turtle Island narrative is multifaceted and profound. Firstly, the turtle itself represents strength, longevity, and resilience. Turtles are ancient creatures, slow-moving yet incredibly enduring, carrying their homes on their backs. This makes them a fitting metaphor for a continent that has supported diverse civilizations for millennia, a land that has withstood countless changes and challenges. The image of the land resting on the turtle’s back evokes a sense of deep stability and an unbreakable foundation.
Secondly, the creation stories emphasize interconnectedness and interdependence. The survival of Sky Woman and the formation of the land were collaborative efforts involving various animals working together. This teaches a crucial lesson about community, mutual aid, and the essential role every being, no matter how small, plays in the larger ecosystem. The muskrat, often the smallest and seemingly weakest, is the one who ultimately retrieves the life-giving earth, underscoring the value of humility and the power of perseverance.
Thirdly, and perhaps most critically in contemporary discourse, Turtle Island embodies a profound sense of stewardship and responsibility. If the land is a gift, a living entity upon which all life depends, then humanity’s role is not one of ownership or domination, but of caretaker. Indigenous worldviews consistently emphasize a reciprocal relationship with nature: the land provides for the people, and in return, the people have a sacred duty to protect and nurture the land for future generations. This contrasts sharply with the extractivist and exploitative mindset often associated with colonial expansion.
The very act of calling the continent "Turtle Island" is an assertion of Indigenous sovereignty and an act of decolonization. The name "North America" is a European construct, derived from Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian explorer whose claim to fame rests on his early cartographic work after Christopher Columbus. It is a name imposed by invaders, reflecting their perspective and their claim to a "New World" that was, in fact, an ancient world teeming with sophisticated societies. To refer to the continent as Turtle Island is to reject this colonial imposition and reclaim an Indigenous identity for the land itself. It acknowledges that this land was, and continues to be, the ancestral territory of hundreds of distinct Indigenous nations, each with their own names, languages, and histories.
In recent decades, the term "Turtle Island" has gained significant traction beyond Indigenous communities, especially within environmental movements, social justice circles, and academic discourse. It is increasingly used in land acknowledgments, academic papers, artistic expressions, and activist calls to action. This wider adoption is a testament to a growing recognition of Indigenous rights, environmental wisdom, and the need to re-evaluate colonial narratives. When activists say, "Protect Turtle Island," they are not just talking about ecological preservation; they are advocating for Indigenous self-determination, the honoring of treaties, and a paradigm shift in humanity’s relationship with the natural world.
The late Haudenosaunee chief and traditional leader, Oren Lyons, once eloquently stated, "We are a part of the earth, and the earth is a part of us. The plants, the animals, the air, the water—we are all connected. We are all Turtle Island." This sentiment encapsulates the holistic worldview that underpins the name. It reminds us that humanity is not separate from nature but an integral component of it, sharing a common fate with the land upon which we dwell.
While the exact creation stories vary among nations—some may not even feature a turtle directly but still hold similar principles of land stewardship and interconnectedness—the concept of Turtle Island as the ancestral homeland, imbued with spiritual significance and carrying deep historical memory, is widespread. It serves as a unifying symbol for Indigenous peoples across the continent, a banner under which diverse nations can stand in solidarity, asserting their shared heritage and their ongoing responsibility to the land.
In conclusion, North America is called Turtle Island not as a whimsical gesture, but as a profound declaration of identity, history, and spiritual connection. It is a name rooted in ancient creation myths that speak of collaboration, resilience, and the sacred trust between humanity and the earth. By embracing and understanding the significance of "Turtle Island," we not only acknowledge the enduring legacy of Indigenous peoples but also open ourselves to a more respectful, sustainable, and interconnected way of relating to the world around us. It is a name that calls for a recognition of the true foundations of this continent, urging us to listen to the wisdom of its original caretakers and to honor the life-giving spirit of the land itself.
