Native American Legends
Wolf Clan and The Salmon
A Tsimshian Legend
A tribe who lived along the Nass River had a special place near
the head of the river where they could find an abundance of salmon
and wild berries. This helped to make their village a wealthy and
respected one and it prospered for many generations.
As time went on, some of the younger people began to forget the
old traditions. They would show disrespect for their fellow creatures
by killing small animals and leaving their carcasses to the crows
and eagles. Once, when the salmon season was at its height, young
men from the Wolf Clan caught several fish, cut slits in their backs,
and put in pieces of burning pitch pine. When they were placed back
in the river they frantically swam about like living torches.
The young men thought this was fun and exciting and did not think
about the cruelty and wastefulness they were showing. The elders,
knowing this would anger the Chief in the Sky, protested and tried
to talk sense into them but to no avail. The young people took no
notice.
When the salmon season came to a close the tribe began preparing
for the winter ceremonies. As they worked they heard a strange noise
in the distance as if a giant medicine drum was being beaten. The
older folks thought that the thoughtlessness shown by the young
men in mistreating the salmon was bringing trouble on the tribe.
The young ones merely scoffed.
During the next few weeks the beating grew louder and louder and
even the young warriors became frightened. The elders said it would
be their fault if the tribe perished. Eventually a thunderous noise
was heard, the mountains exploded, and fire poured forth until the
very rivers were aflame. The people fled in panic and as the fire
worked its way down the river the forest also became an inferno.
Only a few survived.
The shamans said that the spirit world was angry because of the
torture of the salmon. The powers of nature insist on a proper regard
for all their creatures. That is a principle we should all embrace.
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