distribution: all over North America EXCEPT AZ and NM Basic features: an animal(s) dives beneath the waters (primordial or deluge) to retrieve a small amount of sand or mud to give to a leader (human or animal), often dying in the process. This sand or mud greatly expands to form new land. Afterwards, an inspecting creature sculpts the surface of the new land (sometimes accidentally or against the creator's wishes, resulting in punishment). Earth is created!

distribution: limited in North America to southern CA, AZ, and NM Basic features: a sky-father and earth mother conceive people, animals, plants, and other natural features. A central staff or world pillar erected. The first child often dies; later children are often heavy and made of stone; and a Sun child is too bright and, at least for a while, completely or mostly hidden. Eventually, a being that can speak (who is adored) and a rattlesnake are born. Earth is created!

distribution: limited in North America to the Southwest and Plains Basic features: people, animals, and plants live in a cave under the earth, often in misery, possibly hiding from a deluge. When the earth is ready, they are instructed in customs, ceremonies, and crafts. A corn-mother, sun twins, and a hero are sent to lead them up and out, sometimes by climbing a tree or vine, into the sun. Mole’s eyes are blinded by the sun and badger is marked from the digging. Earth is created!

distribution: limited in North America to southern CA, AZ, and NM Basic features: a spider weaves an umbrella-like foundation for the earth (or scaffold above deluge waters), sometimes four colored anchors fasten this web down. People have a place to live. Earth is created!

distribution: western North America Basic features: a creator, often called a transformer or traveler, shapes and gives character to the world, often involving theft of the sun, fire, or water while struggling against giants who keep weather and fish. These things are taken because mankind needs them to survive. Earth is created!

distribution: northwest coast of North America and also in the northeast Basic features: The earth is created from the corpse of a dead giant, man, or woman. The skull becomes the sky, bones become stones, hair becomes vegetation, and blood becomes water. Earth is created!

distribution: all over North America Basic features: Two beings (ex. gods, siblings, or parent and child) engage in a competitive struggle to create the best things. Often, one is good and triumphs over the bad. Earth is created!

distribution: limited in North America to southern CA and AZ Basic features: Two brothers swim up from the depths of the ocean. The younger brother is tricked by the older brother into opening his eyes and is blinded. The sighted brother can create better than his blinded brother. In his anger, the blind brother creates earthquakes and retreats with his people to the ocean depths. Earth is created!