As Chilton prepared the cedar for carving, he noticed a raven with an injured wing watching. Later, as he carved the canoe in Juneau, he again noticed a raven with an injured wing looking on. He believes it was the same bird. Chilton, a member of the Raven clan, considered the bird a blessing. He decided the canoe would feature a raven figurehead. To honor the bird’s vigilance, Chilton incorporated an injured wing into the raven figurehead. More about raven spirit can be found in our Raven Spirit featured story.
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Raven Watches the Carver

Sealaska Heritage Institute