Variety of Northwest Native Designs
The designs on this page follow the basic tenants of Northwest Coastal Native design, but are of subjects that may not be common, or are one of a kind for this artist. Some, like the Frog, and Wasgo the Sea Wolf, are major entities of Pacific Northwest Native mythology. Others may not be significant in the mythology, but are common subjects in the wild life of the area, and worthy of interpretation.
The Tlingit have a legend about a frog in human form that lured the chief's daughter to the lake and married her. The chief's family tried in vain to lure her back, and they drained the lake. They got their daughter back, but she was not able to eat human food,
and died soon after.
“Wasgo, the Sea Wolf” is based on the Tlingit-Haida myth of “Gonakadet” the Lazy Son-in-Law. In one version, he appears as a half killer whale and half wolf, with a wolf's head, a wolf’s tail and legs, and two whale like fins.
Owl, the white owl or snow bird, gives skill and strengths as a fisher of sturgeon primarily, but also of halibut and salmon. He also helps ordinary people (after proper fasting and cleansing, and singing) to become excellent hunters on sea and land, for all game, in foul and fair weather.
Dzunukwa is venerated as a bringer of wealth, but is also greatly feared by children, because parents have told them she an ogress who steals children when they misbehave or wander too deep into the forest, and carries them home in her basket to eat. In masks and totem pole images she is shown with bright red pursed lips, because she is said to give off the call “Hu!”. Dzunukwa is a type of cannibal giant (called sasquatch by other Northwest Coast tribes) and comes in both male ad female forms. In most legends, the female form is the most commonly told; she eats children and cries “hu-hu!” to attract them.
The Tlingit have a legend about a frog in human form that lured the chief's daughter to the lake and married her. The chief's family tried in vain to lure her back, and they drained the lake. They got their daughter back, but she was not able to eat human food,
and died soon after.
“Wasgo, the Sea Wolf” is based on the Tlingit-Haida myth of “Gonakadet” the Lazy Son-in-Law. In one version, he appears as a half killer whale and half wolf, with a wolf's head, a wolf’s tail and legs, and two whale like fins.
Owl, the white owl or snow bird, gives skill and strengths as a fisher of sturgeon primarily, but also of halibut and salmon. He also helps ordinary people (after proper fasting and cleansing, and singing) to become excellent hunters on sea and land, for all game, in foul and fair weather.
Dzunukwa is venerated as a bringer of wealth, but is also greatly feared by children, because parents have told them she an ogress who steals children when they misbehave or wander too deep into the forest, and carries them home in her basket to eat. In masks and totem pole images she is shown with bright red pursed lips, because she is said to give off the call “Hu!”. Dzunukwa is a type of cannibal giant (called sasquatch by other Northwest Coast tribes) and comes in both male ad female forms. In most legends, the female form is the most commonly told; she eats children and cries “hu-hu!” to attract them.