I AM CANADIAN Sunday Reads

I am reading about the Haida (hay-da) First Peoples of the Queen Charlotte Islands, now know as British Columbia. Their language is not known to be related to any other language. When listening to Haida sounds, I admit they do sound original. Described as an almost extinct language, newer generations may take an interest to carry their heritage onward. The Canadian West coast may be one of the most beautiful places on Earth IMO. I think what makes it so, aside from the obvious, is the deeply imbedded native spirituality and thus respect of nature and life. The fact that Haida First People are a part of Canada, heightens my desire to fully appreciate them.

Haida mythology is rich and complex, like the mythologies of ancient Greece and ancient Mexico. The Tale
Raven finds the First Men is a story I will share with Omar tonight before bed.
In short, in Haida culture, the Raven is one of the most powerful of mythical creatures. Its appetites include lust, curiosity, and an irrepressible desire to interfere and change things and to play tricks on the world and its creatures.
The sculpture of The Raven and the First Men depicts the story of human creation. According to Haida legend, the Raven found himself alone one day on Rose Spit beach in Haida Gwaii. He saw an extraordinary clamshell and protruding from it were a number of small human beings. The Raven coaxed them to leave the shell to join him in his wonderful world. Some of the humans were hesitant at first but, overcome by curiosity, they eventually emerged from the partly open giant clamshell to become the first Haida.

There is another tale of the Haida calling her “Raven”, the female Creator spirit. “She was adrift in her canoe, searching for her genitalia in the sea of creation. Many creatures of the forest and sea failed to help her, but then she found Fomitipsis officinalis to steer her canoe. This mushroom guide took her to her sexual core, and thus was completed the creation of woman."

"Raven Steals the Sun" ...Another good tale :-)

The new Canadian $20 bill features Haida art.

Artworks of Bill Reid shown on the $20 bill are "The Spirit of Haida Gwaii," "The Raven and the First Men," "The Grizzly Bear," and "Mythic Messengers."