In the "Iroquois Creation story", what importance do the Iroquois place on the characters in the story?

The Iroquois Creation Story begins with the Sky People, in
particular Sky Woman and her husband.  Her husband becomes outraged because she is about
to give birth to twins and pushes her through a hole in the clouds and she begins
tumbling towards Earth.  She is rescued from her tumble by two birds. The animals then
try to bring mud up from the bottom of the water to create an island for the woman to
live on. Finally a toad was able to bring a mouthful of mud. The animals spread this on
the back of a turtle. 

The Iroquois call Earth "Turtle
Island".  Animals are of great importance to the Iroquois and honored.  Traditionally,
the Iroquois give thanks to the creator for everything they get prior to hunting,
picking, or eating it.