How Raven Stole the Sun

How Raven Stole the Sun

The Tsimshian Clan Dance

Judy Warner Illinois Geographic Alliance Alaskan Cruise 2001

Preview of Main Ideas

In stories from ancient Sumeria to Eastern Siberia, the raven appears as creator and trickster. The raven is particularly important in the oral traditions and culture of the Tlingit and other Native groups along the Northwest Coast of the US. He is the mythical hero who often used trickery to either bring good fortune to the people or to cause mischief. Full of magical, supernatural power, Raven could turn himself into anything at any time. The stories vary from Seattle to Northern Alaska, but the themes are the same. He was motivated by greed, and he loved to tease, cheat, woo and trick. Most of the stories are about how clever Raven is; however, all too often the tables were turned on him. In addition to creating humans, he is credited with bringing light to the dark world by stealing the sun.

Raven is one of the four clans of the Tsimshian people. A matrilineal society, the Natives proudly wear the family crest as they perform historical dances passed down through the generations.

Through legends, dance and song, we can learn more about the culture of the Natives of the Pacific Northwest.

Connection with the Curriculum

This activity may be used in music or social studies class. Other subject areas include dance (physical education), literature and art.

Teaching level: Grades 3-4

Objective #1:

Students will become familiar with one of the Raven legends to learn more about the culture of the Pacific Northwest Natives.

Essential Element: Places and Regions

Standard #6: How culture and experience influence people’s perception of places and regions.

Knowledge Statement #2: Ways in which different people perceive places and regions.

Skill Set #5: Answering geographic questions.

Skill #2: Research and make an illustrated oral report to the class.

Theme: Place and Regions.

Objective #2: Students will sing and perform an authentic Tsimshian dance.

Essential Element: Human Systems

Standard #10: The characteristics, distribution and complexity of Earth’s cultural mosaics.

Knowledge Statement #1: How the characteristics of culture affect the ways in which people live.

Skill Set #5: Answering geographic questions.

Skill #1: Present geographic information in the form of both oral and written reports.

Theme: Region and movement.

Materials: Raven A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest by Gerald McDermott, music for Dance of the Four Clans, map of the Native People of the Pacific Northwest, clan card with yarn attached, three hand drums

Suggestions for Teaching the Lesson

Opening the Lesson

1. Show the students the map of the Pacific Northwest Native People. Point out the region of the Tsimshian people.
2. Give background information on the Raven. Read the picture book: Raven A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest by Gerald McDermott.

Discussion questions:

A. What magical powers did Raven have?
B. How did he trick Sky Chief?
C. Why did Raven want to steal the sun?
D. If you were the Sky Chief, what would you do when Raven stole the light?
E. How could people on Earth thank Raven for giving them the sun?

Developing the Lesson:

1. Give the students the background information on the four clans.
2. Sing the clan song a few times. Invite the students to sing along when they are comfortable with the melody.
3. Give each student a clan card to hang around their neck.
4. Divide the class into two lines.
5. Demonstrate the three movements of the line dancers.
6. Demonstrate the movements of each of the clan animals.
7. Teach the three drum parts. Have everyone clap the rhythms, then choose three drummers.
8. Put all parts together--singers, dancers and drummers.

Concluding the Lesson

Review the importance of music, dance and family heritage in the Native community.

Extending the Lesson

1. Have the students make a sun mask in the style of totem art.
2. Students can read more Raven stories. Act out the stories or make a big book to illustrate the stories.
3. Discover "trickster" tales in other Native cultures--coyote in Southwest Native tales, Anansi the spider.
4. Design the head of a drum using animals of the four clans.

Assessing Student Learning

1. Check for understanding during class discussion of Raven tale.
2. Student participation in the singing, dancing and drumming of the Clan Dance.
3. Self evaluation at the end of the lesson.

The Raven

Raven--A trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest

Gerald McDermott - Harcourt Brace & Co 1993

The rich art of the North Coast Indians is captured in the illustrations. The Sky Chief, his daughter and elders appear in native dress. The stylized carvings of totem poles and boxes are pictured. Tightly woven baskets are shown. McDermott used cool, subdued colors to portray the land without light. The lodge of the Sky Chief glows with warm colors radiating from the hidden sun. When the sun is brought outside, all the earth comes to life. Notice the people have an Asian appearance. Traditional Native

Traditional Native Alaskan music is passed on through the oral tradition. It is associated with dance, games and stories. Music is the central element in Native festivals and potlatches. Music ties respect of animals, weather, seasons and nature to ceremonial traditions. Music is a communal activity, used in part to establish cultural identity.

Tsimshian Clan Dance
as performed by native dancers in Metlakatia, Alaska

Each student will wear around their neck a card attached with yarn identifying tham as a member of one of the four mmain clans--killer whale, eagle, raven or wolf.
Stand in two lines facing each other.
During first verse, push arms upwards to the left for two beats then upwards to the right to two beats.
2nd time--clap eighth note rhythm
3rd time--follow right hand around (palm up). Follow left hand around (palm up).
Keep repeating these three movements throughout the song.
Leader will announce the name of the clan. Everyone in that clan dances between the lines.
Wolf-covers face below nose with the leading arm (as if wearing a cape).
Alternate arms.
Raven-pushes palms down at sides. Shoulders move up and down.
Eagle-flaps wings leaning left, then right.
Killer whale-both hands on one side, scooping low to high. Alternate sides.
Drums-one drum plays half notes, one drum plays quarter notes and one drum plays eighth notes to accompany the song.
Everyone sings. Dance continues until all clans have been called.

The four clans of the Tsimshians are Eagle, Killer Whale, Wolf and Raven. People are not to marry members of their clan. They trace their clan through their mother's side of the family.
The animals of the four clans are regularly seen on totem poles. A totem pole is treated with respect and honor. It tells about the history of a family and important events for that family.
A totem normally lasts eighty to a hundred years. They are carved from cedar trees--usually 18 feet tall, but 5 feet is also a popular height. The figure at the bottom of the pole is the most important.

Self-Evaluation

__________________________ ________

name

class

Three new things I learned are:

A.______________________________________________________________

B.______________________________________________________________

C.______________________________________________________________

My favorite part was (circle one) the Raven story the song the dance playing the drum

because____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

The hardest part was (circle one) the song the dance playing the drum

because____________________________________________________________

I am best at

singing

dancing

playing the drum

One way the People of the Pacific Northwest is different from my family is

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________.

Return to Alaskan Study Tour Lesson Plans