White Raven

There was a time long ago when Raven was white. In this world there was no fresh drinking water. Thirsty Raven went in search of water. After discovering that all of the drinking water in the world was kept locked in a cedar box, Raven snuck to the box and drank every drop. Full of water and attempting to escape, Raven was caught and punished for stealing. Raven was placed in a smoke hole and the fire that burned beneath smoked Raven’s white feathers. This is how Raven turned black. Raven endured the pain until being released back into the sky. As Raven flew away water dripped from Raven’s beak. These droplets landed on earth and created rivers, creeks, and bodies of fresh drinking water. And for the first time Raven’s grandchildren, the people of the earth were able to quench their thirst!

Crystal Worl is a Tlingit, Athabascan, Yupik, and Filipino artist based in Juneau Alaska. In addition to public art, mixed media, and fine art, she is Co-Owner of Trickster Company, an innovative Indigenous graphic design gift shop online.