The paintings, sculptures, and other works here were created by Native artists from around the continent to represent some portion of the origin story of each artist’s tribe. These works give color and shape to some special beings in Native origins stories, who often have spiritual powers, or who have qualities of both animals and humans. They also give representation to animals and plants, which in Native accounts often existed before the people and were considered to be relatives of the people.

Among Native people, each generation tells the next its stories of the beginnings of the world. Only in the last century or so have these stories been written down. Storytelling traditions, however, include more than just words—body language and facial expressions are also important in conveying the complexity and the meaning of the stories.

Native people’s stories of origin are considered sacred. They are more than just stories—when spoken, the words have power and the power is in the telling. When the stories are taken out of their cultural context, there is the risk of their being misunderstood. Among some Native groups, there may be more than one version of a story; stories vary especially between villages or clans. Within other groups it is very important that the story does not change. Although the stories here are presented in brief form, they are not simple stories; rather they are profound and complex.