First Nations mythological and historical stories were shared orally from generation to generation. Until recently, little historical information was recorded on paper.
Here are a few creation myths that have been recorded in text by white ethnographers and historians.
That is to say that these myths may not have been accurately recorded, but present the ideas used in the teachings and celebrations of the respective language groups.
Stories of Origin of the Haida people from the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii)
Frog: Among the Haidas the frog is regarded as the embodiment of wisdom, whence the medicine man obtains gifts from his favourite spirits.
The Killer-whale Myth: When a member of the Haida community is drowned it is believed that his spirit is changed to the body of a killer-whale. That is why whales are very honoured, and never killed by the Haidas.
Tidal Wave Myths: The tidal waves are believed by the Haidas to be caused by three sisters who live on the West Coast. When they are mad in any way they raise great waves.
Cloud Myth: When the clouds hang low the Haidas believe that someone will shortly die.
Design, graphics and HTML by Carollyne Yardley
Produced by Digital Collections Team under contract to Industry Canada.
Content provided by: Heritage Branch, Province of British Columbia.
Last updated January 30, 1998