Legends of the Thunderbird #6

"Thunderbird and Split Killerwhale", Mark Henderson, 1977. Image: Coghlan Art (www.coghlanart.com)

​“The Mink is the son of the Sun and lives at Qalogwis.  He is foolish, amorous and full of curiosity.  He killed his friend Land Otter because he coveted his wife and Frog-Woman disliked him because he has a long face, small eyes and smells.  He is very greedy and fond of sea eggs.  He steals clams from the houses of the women by the shore and when they complain, he turns them into starfish.  Yes, Mink is greedy and covetous, but most of all he is foolish.  One day he thought he would carry the Sun in his father’s place.  So, arising early and before his father, he took the shining ball out to make the day, but he could not carry it and dropped it on the earth between Bella-Bella and Bella Coola where it set the forests on fire.  Then were all men and animals greatly afraid for they thought the whole world would burn.  They called out to Thunderbird who sent Tsona, his cousin.  He put on his magic garment and there was thunder, lightning and a great hailstorm which out the fire.  Even today, when the forests burn, Thunderbird will protect his people and spread his cloak and bring the rain.  For his cloak is the clouds, which bring the rain in season”.

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• Old Tsimshian Legend

(As published in The Thunderbird Journal, Spring 1984)