The Lakota Creation: Inyan, Maka, and the First Dawn
In the beginning there was only Inyan (Rock) and the omnipresent spirit Wakan Tanka, the Great Mystery, and the darkness Han. Inyan wished to exercise his powers of compassion, so he created Maka (Earth) from himself, sacrificing much of his blood which became water. Inyan shriveled and lost his powers. The water gave birth to Skan, who became the supreme judge. When Maka complained of cold and darkness, Inyan created Anpo the Dawn and later Wi the Sun. Maka tried to separate from Inyan, but Skan ruled that rock and soil must remain bound together, explaining why rocks are embedded in the eart