Bear in mind, I read this on the internet. Could be true, could be "internet".
The Catawba religion has a creator (Manatou), and sometimes is said to have a trinity. This trinity consists of Manatou, the creator; Kaia, the turtle; and a third being sometimes said to be the son of Manatou
So, in a nutshell, turtle. Not exactly what you were expecting but something about it being part of a native holy trinity, the hare and the tortoise, tortoise shell covering your arrows.......well, that's how my brain works.
homebru