Final answer:
Storytellers in indigenous cultures use creation stories to impart lessons on the natural world, community traditions, and beliefs, such as the Cherokee and Navajo origin stories which explain natural phenomena and underline community ethics and identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The storyteller in indigenous cultures often uses creation stories to explain observable facts about the natural world as well as to instill a sense of identity and tradition. For the Cherokee, for instance, animals like the Water-Beetle and Buzzard are described as shaping the earth, linking the tribe's origins to the topography of their land. The Navajo described the universe as a series of stacked plates, which not only explain their view of the cosmos but also the hierarchical organization within their society. These origin stories help tribal members understand their inherent role and debt to supernatural ancestors, such as First Man and First Woman, while establishing deep connections with their environment. Additionally, oral histories can document significant events like the Missoula floods through metaphoric narratives, such as that of Coyote and Wishpoosh of the Wasco people.
Oral histories serve not only to explain natural phenomena but also to record important community events and teach moral values. Hence, creation stories are pivotal in maintaining a blend of history, ethics, belonging, and spirituality. The commonality among various Indigenous groups is the symbolic representation of elements of their environment which are considered sacred and play a part in their histories and daily lives.