The Making of the World
A North Fork Mono Story

    The world was made by Falcon (yayu), Crow (sebitim) and Coyote (esha) damming the waters in the east and allowing this world to appear. The valleys were washed out by the water before it was held back. Falcon, Crow, and Coyote made the creeks. These three are in the east now, watching the dam that they made, to see that it does not break and the waters would once again destroy the world.

Commentary by Ron W. Goode

(Chairman, North Fork Mono Tribe)

    This is a creation story, a story telling of the great flood.  Falcon, Crow, and Coyote are all connected to Creator: Falcon with his healing powers, Crow with his power to cross over, and Coyote, Creator’s mischievous pet.  The story tells not only of the power of these three, the power of Creator, and the power of water, but also of the respect one must give to all.  Disrespect to water, to Creator, to the mammals, birds, and reptiles, will change the habitat and the environment, maybe one day releasing the dams and the water back over the land.