Creation Myths are beliefs and stories that try to explain the origin of existence. These beliefs are passed down through generations as cultures and traditions. Different cultures have different ideas that explain these beliefs (Carolyn, 2010). Due to the diversity of cultures, people should be ready to respect beliefs that are different from theirs. A good example of the creation myth is the Modoc creation myth and the Maidu creation myth.  The Modoc myth of creation is used by the Northwestern tribes (Richard, 2013). The myth revolves around supernatural being such as the as gods and spirits. They also believe on other visible elements such as the stars, sun and the moon and stars.

The Modoc people call their god the sky spirit. They believe that he is responsible for the existence and he commands all the elements this includes the sun the moon and the stars. After creating the land and the water bodies, the sky spirit brought on the light into the darkness (Richard, 2013).  According to their beliefs, the Modoc people claims that the sky spirit is male but his daughter and the Grizzlies were responsible for their ancestor's existence and that's when their race began.  The Modoc people live around mount Shanta (Richard, 2013). They believe that Mount Shasta, the trees, the rivers, and the animals which include the bears, beaver, otter, fish, and birds were offered to them by the sky spirits.

In addition, the Modoc people also believe that the dead should be respected. They off er sacrifices of animals to the spirits of the dead since they believe that the underground spirits act as intercessors between them and the sky spirit. Modoc people believe that occurrences such as the floods and famine and other natural disasters occur when they disobey the sky spirits and they act as punishment.  They also believe that the sky spirit portrays human traits such as boredom, patience, anger, vengeance pride and love. In respect to their gods, Modoc people believe do not kill a grizzly bear. When a person is killed by a grizzly their bodies are burned immediately.  They marked the place of death by casting a stone every time they passed by.

On the other hand, the Maidu myth is used by the Konkow, and Nisenan people. The myth explains that in the beginning there was no sun, no stars, or even the moon. They believe that everything was dark and they were no light. However, a raft from the north came floating on water and in it carried two people Turtle (A'noshma) and Father-of-the-Secret-Society  (Pehe'ipe) (Roland, 2006).  Then the earth maker appeared from the sky and that's when creation began.

The Maidu myth explains that the earth maker created the dry land and later he created the light the stars the sky and the moon.  After this, the earth maker created creatures including human beings and animals in pairs and with different colors and shapes (Roland, 2006).

The Maidu people believe that one's a person dies they pass on to the spirit world.  They also believe that natural disasters are caused by these spirits when they get angry and they are trying to convey messages to the human world.  The two myths try to explain the source of human existence (Carolyn, 2010). They both believe that there are supernatural beings such as the spirits which brought about the existence of humans. Both myths believe in life after death they believe that after people die they move on to the spirit or the ancestral world. The Modoc explains that human beings were as a result of the intermarriage between the sky spirit's daughter and the grizzly, however, the Maidu myth explains that the earth maker created human beings and animals all in pairs to enable them to reproduce (Carolyn, 2010).

Cosmic and creation myths are important to the culture; they give people a sense of belonging. They allow people to pass down their values and beliefs through generations