THE BEAVER
References:

Plate @, Figure 4. Chief's Headdress. Haida.
Plate 5, Figure 1. Crest on House Front. Haida.
Plate 8, , Figure 4. Tattoo Mark. Haida.
Plate 9, Figure 5. Shaman's Charm. Tsimsyan .
Plate 11, Figures 2 and 7. Engraved on Silver

Bracelets. Haida.
Plate 20, Figure 1. Carved Stone Mortar. Salish.

The Beaver is a familiar figure all across Canada in decora-
tive as well as Heraldic designs. He figures prominently among
the Crests of the Eagle Phratry of the Tsimsyans, as well as
among those of the Haida and is also a favourite character in
the legends of the Interior of British Columbia.

He was a kindly creature credited, for example, with taking
trouble to bring warmth to the shivering mortals along the Fraser
River. For this he enlisted Eagle's help in stealing fire at the
risk of his own life from a far—distant selfish people and then
carried it safely to its destination between two large clam
shells, swimming many miles under water.

It is of interest to know that the first house in the world
was built by the Father of all the Beavers. Among the tribes on
the Fraser River he was called their "Great Head Brother" be-
cause he secured many benefits for them, teaching them useful arts
and industries which added to their comfort and welfare. ;

His symbols are easily recognizable: the large incisor
teeth; the scaly tail, which may be represented in a wide
variety of positions; and often also spiral nostrils. (Plate
8, Figure 4). The tail here is very large and is turned up-
wards; in front are shown the cedar fibre rings dyed red, each
of which indicates a step up in rank acquired by the owner of the
Dance Headdress.

The small, rather crude carving on bone of a Shaman's Charm
illustrates the beaver's value in this capacity (Plate 9, Figure
5); he is also a favourite subject on finely engraved silver
bracelets (Plate 11, Figures 2 and 7).

A Tsimsyan Clan story tells the origin of the Beaver Crest.
A group of the Tsimsyan Eagle Clan escaped from Alaska after a
war with the Ravens. During their flight the Ragles lost their
most valued Chief's "Coppers" which they were forced to use as

cea.