RAVEN STEALS THE LIGHT

"Raven Steals the Sun" by X̱ʼunei Lance Twitchel

One of the most popular stories among the Native Peoples of the Pacific Northwest is the story of how light came to the world. It is know by several names : Raven Steal the Sun, Raven Steals the Light, Origin of Daylight, Raven and the Box of Light, The Old Man and the Box of Light.....
Each story is slightly different and each culture has it's own variations. 

A brief synopsis of the story:
Long ago the universe was dark. The reason was an old man hoarded all the light in the universe. This treasure he selfishly kept in a hidden box.
Raven was unhappy about the state of the world.  He decided to steal the light. He transformed himself into a young child and the old man let him play with the box. 
Raven snatched the light in his beak, flew up into the sky. Light filled the sky and the world was instantly changed forever.

Illustration by Bill Reid

This is one of the first Native Alaskan stories I turned into a print. I have done several variations on this story that many of my Native friends enjoyed. In two prints I change the context to a more recognizable contemporary Alaskan version. One of the great skills of Alaskan ravens is theirs remarkable ability to "dumpster dive". 

So mine is more "tongue in cheek" humor....

"RAVEN AND THE BOX OF LIGHT",
Etching, 5" x 7" 2011 

Original version of "Raven and the Box of Light" 

The Moon and Sun had been held captive by an old Chief. Raven disguised himself as his grandson and grandfather adored him, even though he threw tantrums. When he screamed, his grandfather let him play with the Moon Box. He opened the box and the moon escaped into the sky. When Raven wailed again, his grandfather let him play with the Box of Daylight. As soon as the box was in his possession, Raven changed back into a bird and disappeared into the darkness. In the original story, Raven brought the box to the people opened it slightly, and flooded the world with light. 

In my version, the heroic but confused Raven opens the wrong box. I positioned the raven atop a familiar Waste Management trash bin with a graffiti image of a sun.

Raven Steals the Lite, Etching 5 inches x 7 inches 2023.

The original version: “Once long ago the universe was dark. The reason why the world was dark had to do with the old man who had a box that contained a box that held many other boxes. In the very last box was all the light in the universe and this was a treasure he selfishly kept to himself.
Raven existed at that time, as he always had. He was unhappy about the state of the world. His interfering nature peaked one day when he stumbled by the old man's hut and overheard him muttering about his boxes. He instantly decided to steal the light but first had to find a way to get inside the hut.
Raven transformed himself into a young child and the old made adopted him
He explores his new surroundings and soon determines that the light must be kept in the big box in the corner. When he first tried to open the box, his “father” scolded him profusely which in turn started a crying and squawking fit the likes of which the old man had never seen. After much coaxing and wailing the old man, at last, agreed to let the child play with the light for only a moment. As he tossed the ball of light the child transformed into the Raven and snatching the light in his beak, flew through the smoke-hole and up into the sky.

The world was instantly changed forever. Mountains sprang into the bright sky and reflections danced on the rivers and oceans. Light filled the world”

In my version, Raven has steals the wrong “lite.” My raven has a Lite beer label he found while dumpster diving.

RAVEN STEALS THE LIGHT, Relief, 9" x 12" 2012, $50

My final version is a relief print which is more like the traditional stories with Raven clasping the sun in his beak.