Visitors Who Never Left: The Origin of the People of Damelahamid - Harris, Chief Kenneth B.; Robinson, Frances M.P.

Clean, tight, unmarked; top edge cut from ffep; very light wear to edges of cover; otherwise very minimal wear; Told at their gatherings by the Indians of the Skeena and Nass Rivers region for countless generations, the eight myths in this volume are translated for the first time by one of their chiefs. The first story tells of the heavenly births of the three children who were settled in Damelahamid to create a new civilization. Others tell of the erection of the first totem pole and its use when the great flood covered the earth. Throughout the stories the kinship of man and animal is stressed, and punishment follows swiftly when animals are mistreated. The avenger may appear to be a part of the real world, such as the great bear, the medeek, or the huge snowfall which threatens starvation, but always supernatural elements are involved. Simple in style, the myths deserve a close reading to reveal their full effect. The introductions, notes, and glossaries which have been added help explain the important symbols and hereditary titles of the Northern British Columbia people.
Very Good
Soft cover
University of British Columbia Press
1981
Vancouver, BC