The Lakota (Sioux) people say that in the beginning everything was in mind of Wakan-Tanka.

All things which were to be existed only as spirits.

Those spirits moved about in space seeking to manifest themselves. They traveled until they reached the sun, but it was not a good place for creation to begin because it was too hot.

Finally they came to Earth, which was without life and covered with great waters. There was no dry land at all for life to begin upon. But then, out of the waters, a great burning rock rose up. It made the dry land appear, and the clouds formed from the steam it created.

Then the life on Earth could begin.

So it is that the rock is called Tunka-shila, "Grandfather Rock,” for it is the oldest one.
Because of that, the rocks must be respected. In the sweat lodge, when the water strikes the heated stones and that mist rises once again, it brings back the moment of
creation as the people in the lodge sing to Tunka-shila, the Grandfather, the old one.

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Holy Man Black Elk Prayer To The Earth

"Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice. You lived first, and you are older than all need, older than all prayer. All things belong to you -- the two-legged, the four-legged, the wings of the air, and all green things that live.

You have set the powers of the four quarters of the earth to cross each other. You have made me cross the good road and road of difficulties, and where they cross, the place is holy. Day in, day out, forevermore, you are the life of things.

Hey! Lean to hear my feeble voice.
At the center of the sacred hoop
You have said that I should make the tree to bloom.

With tears running, O Great Spirit, my Grandfather,
With running eyes I must say
The tree has never bloomed

Here I stand, and the tree is withered.
Again, I recall the great vision you gave me.

It may be that some little root of the sacred tree still lives.
Nourish it then
That it may leaf
And bloom
And fill with singing birds!

Hear me, that the people may once again
Find the good road
And the shielding tree."