THE WOODPECKER

References:

Plate 7, Figure 3. Drawing on a Chief's Cloak. Haida.

This representation of a Woodpecker was drawn in crayon on
the border of a Chief's cloak by the noted Haida artist, Chief
Edensaw of Masset, Q. C. I. The bird is described as small and |
red-headed. Its Mask was used by a clan of the Tsimsyans as
part of the dramatization of the Spirit name of "Ha'tu," which
belongs to the family of its owner.

There is considerable variation in the myths which refer
to the origin of the crest. It was not gained by the usual
method but as was customary in such cases it was dramatized
when assumed by the owner, and was included with their other
emblems by certain of the Wolf Clan of the Upper Skeena under
two alternative forms, the dragonfly and the mosquito. It is
also associated with the Caterpillar Crest and with the "Red-
Shafted Flicker" (Plate 7, Figure 4).

A long legend relates how Chief Woodpecker was guardian of
Fire which he refused to share with anyone else even with his
own people. However a wise chief enlisted Deer's help, who
stole the fire by a clever trick and escaped successfully from
the furious pursuit of the Chief Woodpecker's Warrior Wolves.
Being a clever man, Chief Woodpecker was not disheartened by
the theft of his precious possession, but with the aid of his
faithful slave he devised the method of making iron with which
he forged fish spears which gave him great success in hunting
sea—otters. He accumulated wealth by the sale of their skins to
rich chiefs for use as cloaks. In addition he is credited with
having instructed even white men in the art of making iron and
thereby providing weapons far more effective than those made of
stone, wood or bone previously in use.

The following episode in which Woodpecker shows to great
advantage, also introduces Coyote--who superseded Raven in his
deeds both good and questionable in the folklore of the Southern
Interior tribes.

Coyote fell into a deep rock crevice and called on all
animals and birds for aid. They tried to release him but
failed. Finally he called on all the woodpeckers. One of
them struck the rock and cracked it; the second widened the
crack; the third enlarged it still more. Finally, the

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