THE MOUNTAIN GOAT

Reference:

Plate 4, Figure 1. Skedans'! Memorial Pole. Haida.

The crest of the Mountain Goat was carved on more than one
Haida and Tsimsyan totem pole, and is stated to have been ac-
quired in the following way by a Gitksan Clan of the Tsimsyans.
The people had become sinful; they no longer observed the rule
of the Sky according to which animals must be objects of respect.
They recklessly slaughtered herds of mountain goats on the hills
near Hazelton and made fun of a young goat which they had taken
home alive as a trophy. A young man adopted the little creature
and saved it from mistreatment. The offenders were later invited
by goats in human guise to a feast at the mountain lodge. As
they returned from the feast, they perished by falling down the
crags at night, except this one young man, who was led down the
rocky peaks in safety by his grateful pet. In this case his
family adopted as a crest the Mountain Goat with a Single horn
on its forehead. (Barbeau, 1929, p. 80).

Among the Haida, the crest shows the usual two-horned
animal. Both forms play their parts in a story too long to
quote, called "The Mountain Goats and the Death-Bringing ~
Feather," which is associated with a very moral lesson. The son
of the great Chief, to whom the Mountain Goats had shown great
kindness, had conferred on him the gift of this Magic Feather.
Only one command was imposed upon him in connection with this
gift, but this strict order he disobeyed under temptation.
Instantly he was transformed into a fierce Grizzly Bear and
banished for ever from human companionship.

BES oi