This is also one of the most esteemed Haida myths. The version here presented was obtained from the present chief of Kloo with the exception of the portion about Sea-otter-woman, which was contributed by an old man of the nearly extinct Daiyū′ał-lā′nas or People of Skidegate creek. Qonā′ts, the hero of the story, was one of the Sea-otters (Qogā′ñas), and, were any of those people still living, a much longer version might perhaps have been secured. [[238]]
[1] Łg̣ā′xet is a word applied to round stones lying on the beach. “Pebble” seems to be the nearest English equivalent, although the Haida word perhaps denotes a somewhat [[237]]larger variety of stone. This town was once occupied by the Sea-otters, who sold it to another family, the Łg̣ā′xet-gu-lā′nas, and moved to a place east of Skidegate called Qꜝo′stᴀn-xana. More often the scene of the story is laid at this latter place. [↑]
[2] That is, they were not to cut it because he was going to take all. [↑]
[3] A creek on the east coast of Graham island where the Haida of Skidegate inlet used to assemble before starting for the mainland. [↑]
[4] Compare Story of the [House-point families], [notes]. [↑]
[5] The locally famous Rose Spit that runs out for miles at the northeastern end of Graham island between Dixon entrance and Hecate strait. It was called Na-iku′n, “House point,” by the Haida; but by supernatural beings it was supposed to be called Qꜝᴀ′kun, as in the story. This probably means North-point. [↑]
[6] Sg̣îl, the word translated “duck,” is said to be applied to the Surf Scoter or “Coot” (Oidemia perspicillata, Linn.), and also to the White-winged Scoter (Oidemia deglandi, Bonap.). [↑]
[7] I have not identified the root to which the Haida word Tag̣ᴀ′nskia is applied. [↑]
[8] Some seemed to think that Qonā′ts and He-who-travels-behind-us were the same person. The word translated “behind us” means “back from the shore,” “inland,” or “back from the houses.” He-who-travels-behind-us is also identified with Supernatural-being-on-whom-is-thunder (Sg̣ā′na-gut-hī′lᴀñwas). [↑]