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Myths and Legends of Alaska

CREATION OF THE PORCUPINE

Reading edition

Tlingit

RAVEN went into the woods and set out to make porcupines. For quills he took pieces of yellow cedar bark. These he set all the way up and down the porcupine’s back so that bears would be afraid of it. That is why bears never eat porcupines. Raven said to the porcupine, “Whenever any one comes near you, throw your tail about.” That is why people are afraid to go near a porcupine.

Illustration from Myths and Legends of Alaska

Porcupine

A group of people in a large canoe
A group of people in a large canoe

“Raven showed the people how to make canoes out of skins”

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