Read with Raven Digital Resources

Please review these resources before or after your field trip to enhance your multicultural literacy unit for K–2 students. It is important for students to understand that today, Indian people are still here and sustain their cultural heritage in many ways. These links encourage students to understand the experience of retaining culture and community in the 21st century.

For Students

Discover another version of the Raven story

Watch professional storyteller Gene Tagaban (Tlingit & Cherokee) tell How Raven Stole the Sun (9:53 minutes). Discover similarities and differences in Raven stories.

Return of the totem pole

In 2001, totem poles from the museum were returned to the Tlingit people in Alaska. See dances of welcome and thanks with simple text and images of the totem pole’s creation in the exhibit. Film by Wen-Jie Qin. 4:54 minutes

Create a story

After the field trip, students find animal designs in displays from different parts of North America. With a simple worksheet, they collect information to create an animal hero story in the style of a Native American traditional tale that explains why something happened in our world. (See Read with Raven Worksheet.)

For Teachers

Alaska Native resources

For Alaska Native resources on storytelling, Raven, and more, visit Sealaska Heritage.

A note on terminology: What is folklore?

The term "folklore" is generally used to refer to the traditional beliefs, myths, tales, and practices of a people which have been shared informally--usually via word of mouth. In modern times, the Internet has become a pivotal source for folklore. (From American Folklore)

What is a myth?

Myths are traditional, typically ancient stories dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serve as common types in the worldview of a community. The purpose of myths is to account for the origins of something, explain aspects of the natural world or outline the psychology, customs, or ideals of a society. In many myths, the main characters are gods or part-gods and the story may have some religious meaning or background. The Raven story is a myth. (From American Folklore)

Should I use the word “myth”?

Some educators are wary of using the word myth or legend when referring to ancient traditional tales of native people. Myth can imply that the story is “not true”, which diminishes the tales in some way. Native myths are often the cultural property of a tribe and they are or were in their original form, sacred. They can hold deep significance depending on when and by whom they are told. But they are also entertaining. It is important that teachers identify a myth or traditional tale with a specific people (like the Haida or the Tlingit), time (like the winter season) and place (Arizona pueblos or the longhouses of the Northwest Coast of America). Using the word “myth” or “legend” is fine as long as it is made clear how important and powerful these pieces of cultural history are. For more information on teaching with Native American traditional tales, legends and myths see Oyate.