Today on Of Cedar And Salmon, Long Claw shares the Legend of the Salmon People.

Long ago, the 5 clans of salmon people were given their divine purpose by Hwan, The Changer.

But the path was difficult, and they grew frustrated with the hardships placed before them.

But Hwan explains that their journey does not merely end in this world.

While their path is long, and many will not live to see the end of it, those who endure will take their place in the eternal River of Life.

And their journey will leave a legacy on this earth as enduring as it is profound.

It's a legend of perseverance, sacrifice, transformation, and the responsibilities that come with the gifts we've been given.

A legend that you can still find in the sky today.

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Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

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So what happens when the heir to a Chief's position ends up being... less than impressive?

On today's episode of Of Cedar And Salmon, Chris and Long Claw unpack one of the more lighthearted legends in the Coast Salish tradition.

It's an exploration of leadership, education, marriage customs, community accountability, and the all-too-relatable role humor plays when it comes to teaching serious lessons.

And while technology has changed dramatically over the centuries, humans are still remarkably good at convincing themselves that a rock is something it isn't.

Join us as we explore a legend that is equal parts comedy, cautionary tale, and timeless commentary on the importance of good judgment.

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Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

Like our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

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Before phrases like: "not the brightest bulb", "a few cards short of a deck", or even just "bird brain"... there was "Klotatkwaetae".

When an aging chief begins searching for his successor, his son seems an obvious choice.

Unfortunately, that is until his son begins to demonstrate a truly remarkable lack of judgment.

In an effort to test the young man's abilities, the chief gives him a challenge: find a wife.

The results are not encouraging.

On today's episode of Of Cedar And Salmon, Long Claw shares this humorous Coast Salish story of wisdom, leadership, and the consequences of seeing what you want to see instead of what is truly there.

A legend that leaves our chief between a rock and a hard place.

So, what's the worst date you've ever been on?

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Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

Like our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

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Family relationships encompass some of the highest joys and deepest challenges of the human experience.

They shape who we are, sustain us through hardship, and sometimes leave us carrying wounds that last a lifetime.

It's a reality as old as humanity itself, and one that lies at the heart of many traditional stories.

In this episode of Of Cedar And Salmon, Chris and Long Claw explore the Kwakwala legend of Cougar and Bobcat.

We examine what happens when family bonds fracture, how isolation changes us, and search for belonging after conflict.

Plus, we swap stories of our own personal encounters with the wildlife of the Pacific Northwest.

And discuss the significance of those rare moments when the wild chooses to step into our path.

Because sometimes the oldest stories aren't really about animals at all. They're about us.

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Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

Like our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/cedarsalmon

Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

Like our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

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We've all had those times when we needed to step away from the family drama.

And, as we learn today on Of Cedar And Salmon, that experience isn't unique only to us humans.

When Cougar seeks out a life of quiet and peace, he happens upon a new discovery - man's "yellow flower", fire!

The yellow fire brings warmth and comfort to his new peaceful home, but it also draws the attention of Cougar's little cousin, Bobcat.

Moved by the desperate need of his extended family, the two agree to a mutual living arrangement.

However, it is not long until their family bonds are again tested. And when Bobcat fails to keep their fire burning, he must restore what he has lost.

"Cougar and Bobcat" reminds us of the delicate balance of family dynamics, and the need for our own inner peace.

All reflected in the markings of these secretive animals.

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Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

Like our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

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On today's episode of Of Cedar And Salmon, we open Long Claw's Museum Box to explore a remarkable and deeply-meaningful piece: the Dancing Apron.

What begins as a conversation about regalia soon unfolds into a thoughtful discussion about cultural authority, inherited responsibility, and the unspoken protocols that shape many First Nations communities.

We examine questions like: who has the right to share stories?

Perform dances? Display crests? Or even to teach traditions? Plus why those boundaries matter.

It's a rare and respectful look into the meanings, implications and relationships that define these high-context cultures.

Long Claw also gives us a look into his artistic process; why he creates, what his work represents, and how he decides when certain art, stories, and teachings are meant to be shared.

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It's only natural for us to dream.

Every human being carries ambitions for the life they want to build and the person they hope to become.

But what are we willing to sacrifice to reach those goals?

Relationships? Parts of ourselves?

What about our connection to the world around us?

Today, Of Cedar And Salmon explores the meanings, symbolism, and spiritual themes behind "The Legend of the Wind Walker".

From longing and discipline, to transformation and the pursuit of something beyond our human existence, we examine the challenges that are part of every person's journey.

We discuss what it means to be a Seeker of Supernatural Treasure. The practice of purifying oneself across cultures. Plus mankind's enduring relationship with the heavens.

It's a rare look at the deeper lessons hidden in this ancient piece of indigenous storytelling.

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Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

Like our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

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Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/cedarsalmon

Before our modern times... before cities cast their dull haze into the night... the sky was alive.

It shimmered, moved, and danced.

Millions of stars stretched their stellar lights from horizon to horizon.

And the people looked up. Not just to see, but to listen.

To pray. And remember their place within it all.

And for one young man, the stars answered.

Drawn by a longing he could not name, he watched the lights dance across the heavens.

And descend to the earth.

He listened to their songs. And fell in love.

Today, Of Cedar And Salmon features the "Legend of the Wind Walker".

The story of a seeker who reached beyond the human world... and discovered the cost of touching something sacred.

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Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

Like our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.