Myths and Legends of British North America/Origin of Races (Cree)

by Katharine Berry Judson

ORIGIN OF RACES^[1]

Cree

WHEN Great One made mankind, he first made an earth oven. Then he modeled a man of clay and put him in to bake. He was not baked enough and came out white. Great One tried again, but this time he baked the man too long. He came out black. The third time Great One baked the man just the correct time, and he came out red. That is why different races have different colors.

1. Told by all Cree Indians, but of course influenced by contact with the white race.