Eskimo in Waterproof Coat made of Walrus Intestines
“Raven said to Grouse, ‘You know that Sea-lion is your grandchild’”
THE NAMING OF THE BIRDS
Tlingit (Wrangell)
NOW Raven went around among the birds, teaching them. He said to Grouse, “You are to live in a place where it is wintry. You will always live in a place high up so you will have plenty of breezes.” Then Raven gave Grouse four white pebbles. He said, “You will never starve so long as you have these four pebbles.”
Raven also said to Grouse, “You know that Sea-lion is your grandchild. You must get four more pebbles and give them to him.” That is why the sea-lion has four large pebbles. It throws these at hunters. If one strikes a person, it kills him. From this story it is known that Grouse and Sea-lion understand each other.
Raven said to Ptarmigan, “You will be the maker of snowshoes. You will know how to travel in snow.” It was from these birds that the Athapascans learned how to make snowshoes, and how to put the lacings on.