Marcia L. Gerencser
TUNKA-SHILA, GRANDFATHER ROCK
GREAT PLAINS-SIOUX TRIBE
In the beginning everything existed only in spirit form and these spirits moved around hoping to find a place where they could stay and show themselves. When they reached the Sun they knew it was too hot. Finally they came upon Earth, but it was covered with water and there were no life forms. Suddenly a Great Burning Rock broke the surface of the water and it began to dry out the land. This Rock is called Tunka-Shila, “Grandfather Rock” because it is the oldest of all the rocks. Rocks must be respected because of this.(7)
The following questions could be used for discussion.
1.
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What made the Great Burning Rock break the surface of the water?
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2.
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Is there a rock on this earth that is known as Grandfather Rock? If you wanted to see it, could you? Research this question.
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3.
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What values do rocks have in our life? Why are they important to us?
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4.
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What does this myth teach you about respecting the world that we live in?
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From the Kalispel Indians in Idaho there is a myth about the moon and how it came to be.