The raven and bear feature distinctly in the art of the tribes of the First Nations.
Among the people of the First Nations the spirits have always played a predominant role in their legends, their ceremonies and their culture. Nowhere is this connection to the spirit world seen more distinctly than in their art.
The Bear spirit has a number of mythical roles among the various tribes of the First Nations. For the Cree, the Bear is the most powerful of the Manitou spirits. For the people of the Winnebago, found primarily on the U.S. side of the border, the four Bears were the bringers of harmony and balance when the earth was first created.
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For other tribes the Bear is a symbol of introspection, closely linked with the natural energy of the day and the night. It has been said that an alliance with a Bear spirit creates a link with the Bears of the earth that will allow the man to kill the Bear at will. The Bear spirit is believed to play a role in healing, change, birth, rebirth, transformation, defense and wisdom in almost all tribes.
The power of the Bear spirit makes it a strong talisman among the people of the First Nations, and it is often incorporated into their art. The Bear appears on totems, prints, masks, jewelry and statues. Virtually every artistic medium practiced by the people of the First Nations has been used to honor the spirit of the great Bear.
Much like the bear, the Raven has a number of integral roles in the tribal history of the people of the First Nations. It also appears on most artistic mediums among the tribes, featuring on totems, masks, prints, sculpture and jewelry.
It is believed to have played a vital role in the creation of the world and the first men, a role that is repeatedly featured in its artistic depictions.
One story, told by the people of the Haida, says that he found on an abandoned beach a giant clamshell, and from that clamshell came the first men. That image was depicted by First Nations artist Bill Reid (among other artists) and can be visited at Raven and the first men.
The Raven is an ambiguous creature in First Nations mythology. He is often represented as a trickster as well as a creator, using his smooth tongue and quick mind to cause trouble among the tribes.
One story, told by the Tsimishian, tells the tale of how the Raven tricked a tribal chief along the Nass River and gave light to the world. It transformed itself into a spruce needle and fell into the water that the chief’s daughter was drinking. He impregnated her, and upon his birth in human form stole the box that contained the light. He then transformed into his original shape and flew away.
Whether their role in mythology was that of respectability or trickery, power or cunning, the Bear and the Raven both play an essential role in the history of the people of these tribes. As new mixes with old and the culture of the people of these lands is placed under fire time and time again, it can only be hoped that these spirits will continue to be an integral part of the art of the First Nations.