Killer whale fin

You are looking at the fin of a well-hidden killer whale. The killer whale carries different meanings for indigenous groups along the northwest coast of the American continent. For example, the killer whale is considered to have the same spirit as a human being by the North American Walas clan. On the other hand, the members of the Kwakiutl tribe associate killer whales with peace and family.

These indigenous groups believe that many different animals carry supernatural powers or qualities, not just the killer whale (Looking at Totem Poles by Hilary Stewart 1993: page 17) . These stories are often about animals that can be found in the North American landscape, for example, the bear, the wolf, the eagle, and the frog. (Looking at Totem Poles by Hilary Stewart 1993: page 38). The spirit of these animals is specifically invoked for important activities such as fishing, whaling, or hunting.

Now, from the water to the sky…