Visitors Who Never Left
The Origin of the People of Damelahamid
Edited by Kenneth B. Harris and Frances M. Robinson
UBC Press
These legends, translated by Chief Kenneth Harris, tell of the origin
of the Native people who live in the region between the Skeena and Nass
rivers of British Columbia. Other stories tell of occurrences
particularly significant in the 'history' of the people -- the
origins of the 'Killer Whale' and 'Thunderbird
Twtjea-adku,' and the revenge of 'Medeek,' the great bear
who rose from the lake to punish people for breaking 'the law.'
of the Native people who live in the region between the Skeena and Nass
rivers of British Columbia. Other stories tell of occurrences
particularly significant in the 'history' of the people -- the
origins of the 'Killer Whale' and 'Thunderbird
Twtjea-adku,' and the revenge of 'Medeek,' the great bear
who rose from the lake to punish people for breaking 'the law.'
Chief Kenneth Harris (translator) inherited the titleHagbegwatku, "first-born of the nation," from his uncle ChiefArthur McDames who recorded the tapes from which these translationshave been made.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Introduction / Frances M.P. Robinson
Foreword / Kenneth B. Harris
Photographs
Story One: In the Beginning
The Two Villages
The Two Survivors and the Search for a Husband
The Happenings in Heaven
The Gambling Game
The Birth of Damelahamid
Story Two: People of Damelahamid
The Fatal Game
The First Punishment of Damelahamid
Meeting the Spirits
The Journey Home
Story Three: People of Damelahamid
Strange Feasts
The Flood
The Medeek
Story Four: Move to Kitsekucla
The Big Snowfall
Adventures of Two Sisters
Moving of Many People
Lo-tres-ku's Story
Story Five: The Origin of the Thunderbird, Twe Tjea-Adku
Story Six: The Origin of the Killer Whale
Gudeloch and the Princess
Gooch nach no emgit Finds a Bride
The Kidnapping
Story Seven: The Origin of Weeget and Quisken
Strange Journeys
Weeget and the Water
Story Eight: How the People of Damelahamid First Brought Their Form of Civilization to the Queen Charlotte Islands
The Strange Pregnancy
Return to Damelahamid
Conclusion
Glossary
Place Names
Indian Words
Personal Names
Major Sources
Introduction / Frances M.P. Robinson
Foreword / Kenneth B. Harris
Photographs
Story One: In the Beginning
The Two Villages
The Two Survivors and the Search for a Husband
The Happenings in Heaven
The Gambling Game
The Birth of Damelahamid
Story Two: People of Damelahamid
The Fatal Game
The First Punishment of Damelahamid
Meeting the Spirits
The Journey Home
Story Three: People of Damelahamid
Strange Feasts
The Flood
The Medeek
Story Four: Move to Kitsekucla
The Big Snowfall
Adventures of Two Sisters
Moving of Many People
Lo-tres-ku's Story
Story Five: The Origin of the Thunderbird, Twe Tjea-Adku
Story Six: The Origin of the Killer Whale
Gudeloch and the Princess
Gooch nach no emgit Finds a Bride
The Kidnapping
Story Seven: The Origin of Weeget and Quisken
Strange Journeys
Weeget and the Water
Story Eight: How the People of Damelahamid First Brought Their Form of Civilization to the Queen Charlotte Islands
The Strange Pregnancy
Return to Damelahamid
Conclusion
Glossary
Place Names
Indian Words
Personal Names
Major Sources
