Few creatures are as polarizing among Native cultures as owls. They are often feared and revered at the same time. While some fear them for their supernatural powers, others celebrate them for their ability to guide and foretell future events.
In certain Native cultures the owl is believed to be connected to the afterlife and new beginnings. They are also seen as guardians, or protective spirits. To some they represent wisdom, clear vision and ancient knowledge. Still others believe that they are the restless spirits of ancestors.
Owls are superb hunters. They hunt at night, using keen hearing and sight, relying on stealth, rather than speed. Their flight is virtually silent due to their fringed wings, enabling them to ambush their unsuspecting prey in silence and with no warning.
Across many cultures, owls are shrouded in mystery, fueling curiosity and intrigue for thousands of years.
Eagles are one of
the most important clan and crest animals in Native American mythology, art and
culture. The eagle is one of the main crests among First Nations, such as
Haida, Tsimshian, Tlingit and Heiltsuk, who live along the Northwest coast of
North America. This area also features the largest bald eagle population in
Canada. Here they find large bodies of water ideal for fishing and large trees
for nesting.
Eagles are a symbol of strength, authority and power. They rule the skies with grace and great intellect. In many cultures around the world, their wings are symbols of protection, but to Northwest coast peoples they are spiritual messengers who carry prayers to the Creator. They have the ability to fly higher than any other bird and benefit from extraordinary vision.
Eagle feathers and down are sacred. They have healing powers, and are symbols of peace and friendship. During welcome dances and other ceremonial occasions, they are used to honour respected guests. In some cultures, the feathers are given as gifts to honour a person’s accomplishments and acts of courage.
In Northwest coast art, eagle designs are found on totem poles, ceremonial staffs, and other traditional items. They are typically shown with a powerful beak that curves downward, large talons, and piercing eyes. Also typical for Northwest coast art are the U-form shapes on top of the eagle’s head. Eagles are often depicted with a salmon in their talons; one of their favourite meals.
Please click here for more fun facts about eagles.
In the Indigenous cultures of the Pacific Coast, the hummingbird is seen as a messenger of joy, symbolizing intelligence, beauty, devotion, and love. Despite their small size, these birds are also admired for their fighting spirit, resilience and strong territorial defense.
Hummingbirds are a symbol of good luck. Seeing one of these birds before an event, such as a hunting trip, or travelling to another village, was considered a good omen.
There are stories among the Haida where high ranking women would arrive at celebrations with live hummingbirds tied to their hair, underlining and signifying their beauty, prestige, and close relationship with the spirit of the bird.
According to one Northwest coast legend, Raven transformed a flower into a hummingbird. He gave the hummingbird a message to take to all the flowers, which is why we see them darting quickly from flower to flower and whispering the message; thanking each flower for its beauty and making our world a better place.
Nowadays, hummingbirds are frequently represented in Northwest coast art (Spring Bliss by Trevor Husband, or Blue Hummingbird by Gryn White), though they have not traditionally been a major motif. They are portrayed in profile view with a long narrow beak and a large head with prominent eyes. Hummingbirds are usually shown in mid flight with flowers nearby.
Please click here for more fun facts about hummingbirds.
The moon appears in the mythology of all Northwest Coast nations. It is a guide, a protector, a guardian spirit, a timekeeper, and is associated with transformation.
The Nuu-chah-nulth revere the moon and his wife, the sun, as the most powerful beings, bringing good fortune and plentiful food. Unlike many other Indigenous cultures, where the moon is often depicted as female—gentler and more serene than the sun—the Nuu-chah-nulth personify it as male.
The moon is frequently shown in association with Wolf, due to their nocturnal habits. Sometimes it is seen in the beak of Raven, a reference to the creation story of Raven releasing the sun, moon and stars into the sky.
In another legend, a giant supernatural codfish swallows the moon during a lunar eclipse. To counteract this, the Kwakwaka’wakw and Nuu-chach-nulth would light a large bonfire and add branches from pine trees to create smoke, causing the codfish to cough up the moon.
The moon plays an important role in ceremonies such as the Peace Dance of the Kwakwaka’wakw and the Winter Ceremonies of the Huxalk. Among the Haida, it has been an exclusive crest of only a select few high-ranking chiefs.
The moon usually has a rounded face and relatively flat features. The face is normally that of a human, or a bird. Occasionally, it has a crescent form, and at times, it wears a labret, signifying a feminine aspect.
To the First Nation cultures of the Northwest coast, the salmon is a symbol of perseverance, self-sacrifice, regeneration and prosperity. For thousands of years, this fish has been the primary food source for coastal people, and is held in high esteem for the important role it continues to play in Northwest coast cultures and ecosystems today.
The salmon has shaped tribal culture and also facilitated the emergence of the art form we know today as Northwest Coast art.
Due to the hospitable climate of the region, the indigenous population did not need to travel far to hunt and gather food. There was an abundance of food resources nearby, chief among them the salmon. This afforded the coastal population time to pursue the arts, which led to the distinctive art form we can still appreciate today.
In Northwest Coast art, salmon are easily recognizable by their streamlined shape and curved, beak-like mouth. Females have a less pronounced beak and are normally shown with small circles in their bodies, representing eggs. In some cultures of the region, salmon are associated with twins and are frequently portrayed in pairs.
The salmon and the cycle of life are honoured and celebrated by Indigenous Nations all along the coastline.
There are five species of Pacific salmon: chinook, coho, sockeye, pink, chum. They differ in size, appearance and feeding habits, but they all hatch in fresh water, mature in the ocean, and return to their place of birth to spawn and die. This cycle of life is celebrated and respected by all Northwest coast cultures. As a sign of respect, salmon bones are returned to the water. The spirits will then rise, allowing the life cycle to begin again.
Northwest cultures believe that any shortages of salmon during any year can be attributed to a lack of respect for the salmon’s life cycle, so the seasonal return of the salmon to their spawning grounds is celebrated to show appreciation for its sacrifice.
This celebration and the harvest are important aspects of Northwest Coast tribal life as they also involve the transfer of traditional values from generation to generation.
“My strength is from the fish; my blood is from the fish, from the roots and berries. The fish and game are the essence of my life. I was not brought from a foreign country and did not come here. I was put here by the Creator.”
Raven is one of the most significant figures in Northwest Coast mythology and art. Revered by many First Nations along the Northwest Coast of North America, he serves as both a crest figure and a guardian spirit, holding deep cultural importance in numerous communities.
Clever and cunning, Raven is a trickster—mischievous, curious, and often selfish. He is always scheming, using deception to serve his own interests.
Raven is a magical creature that can easily assume any shape. He can be human, an animal, or any inanimate object.
Countless stories recount Raven’s role in shaping the world and teaching lessons about morality. The Haida tell stories of how Raven discovered and freed the first men who had been trapped in a clam shell. He then freed the first women from another shell and brought the men and the women together. He also stole salmon and deposited them in the rivers all along the coast to provide food for the people. Another story explains that he played a significant role in transforming the world by first stealing, then placing the sun, the moon, and the stars in the sky.
In First Nations mythology of the Northwest Coast, Raven has two sides. On one hand he is creative, intelligent and adventurous. On the other hand he can be extremely self serving and mischievous.
In First Nations cultures of the Pacific Northwest, the orca is represented frequently in visual works, as well as oral traditions. Known to some as the Guardians of the Sea, orcas (killer whales) are associated with compassion, strong family bonds, protection, and community.
Orcas, who are also called sea wolves in some Northwest coast cultures, are revered for their hunting skills and sheer strength. Similar to wolves, killer whales live and hunt in packs. The entire family, or pod, will normally stay together for life and work together to feed and raise their young.
Along the Washington and British Columbia coastline there are four resident communities of killer whales. The Southern Resident Killer Whale Pod is the smallest of the four, and it is listed under the Endangered Species Act. As of the end of 2018, this pod numbered 75 members, which is down significantly from 250 a few decades ago. The reduction in their population size is due to increased marine traffic, environmental damage, and the depletion of their major food source, Chinook Salmon.
Coast Salish artist Joe Wilson has dedicated his serigraph, titled Orca, to the Southern Resident Killer Whale Pod. He feels that the print should serve to celebrate the beauty of this magnificent animal, raise awareness, and help ensure its survival.
There are many legends in the Northwest involving the orca. One legend tells us that when a person drowns, killer whales will take the body to the deep ocean and transform it into one of their own. This is why we can sometimes observe orcas swimming close to shore. They are transformed humans, yearning for their old life.
The orca is the largest predator on earth. Hence, in First Nations art the orca is often depicted as a powerful and intimidating being. This is indicative of the respect First Nations have for the killer whale.
For another example of killer whales in Northwest coast art, see K’aka’win by Patrick Amos.
The frog holds great significance in Northwest Coast Native art and culture, frequently appearing on totem poles, house posts, and various household items.
In nature, frogs seamlessly transition between water and land, symbolizing renewal, transformation, and the changing seasons. Their loud croaking in the spring signals the end of winter ceremonies for Northwest Coast tribes, marking the time to prepare for the upcoming hunting and fishing season.
Across many Indigenous cultures in North and South America, frogs are seen as healers. Some ancient European traditions also recognize their healing abilities, believing their songs possess magical and divine power. Shamans consider frogs to be powerful spirit helpers, capable of cleansing bad spirits.
As a supernatural being, the frog exists in both the human and spirit worlds, serving as a bridge between the two realms. Its adaptability allows it to communicate between these worlds with ease.
In Northwest Coast art, frogs are often depicted with wide mouths and protruding tongues, as seen in Wak’es, Tree Frog. When a frog’s tongue touches another creature, it represents the sharing of knowledge and power, as illustrated in Sharing Knowledge.
On totem poles, frogs are typically placed at the base with their legs stretched out, symbolizing stability. Among the Haida, they are also carved into house posts to provide structural support.
Beyond their spiritual significance, frogs represent wealth, abundance, ancient wisdom, rebirth, and good fortune.
