Native American women have a very important role in different tribal societies, as do men. What makes women different, and even valued more at times, is their strength, and connection with nature. The origin story The Girl Who Married the Bear and the more current, fictional story of "Fleur" are examples of the strength of Native American women, stemming from their relationship with nature, specifically animals. Both tell the story of a strong, rebellious woman, whose ability to change into an animal separates them from their tribal community. Stories such as these, specifically those about women, show the continuous importance of origin stories in Native American cultures. Whereas The Girl Who Married the Bear is an origin story, told for centuries, instilling values and traditions in Native American cultures, "Fleur" is an example of how origin stories are connected to present-day Native American life. Native American stories connect our "real" world to the world of fantasy, making the line between the two less distinctive. The separation between the real world and imaginary is questioned through Native American stories that often treat fantasy as if it were real. These two specific stories show how this approach towards storytelling never ended, but rather was kept as a way for different tribes to keep their cultural heritage. .
Before the European (Victorian) philosophy, that a woman's role in society is in their home, many Native American cultures valued their women for their powerful role in the tribe. Women were the providers; gathering the food, trading with other tribes, making spiritual and political decisions, all while taking care of the entire family. Many tribes believed that strength was found in their animal spirit. Women had a strong connection with animals, empowering them to be the leaders in society and their homes. It is European thinking that has made this idea seem wrong, or abnormal.
