Despite being viewed as savage beasts in Western culture, those who were Indigenous to the Pacific Northwest Coast treasured killer whales and featured them in their history, art and religions. Even just seeing one was considered a lucky omen in the Ainu tribe as they were said to bring good fortune to shores by referring to them as Repun Kamyu, meaning God of Sea/Offshore, within their folklore.
To many Indigenous tribes, orcas were sacred and such an important pillar in their culture- representing strength and power. Kwakiutl mythology ties into these representations by referring to them embodying the souls of dead chiefs. The Kwakiutl tribes were also believers in that killer whales were the Gods or rulers of the sea, with sea lions as their personal slaves and dolphins as warriors.
The Haida particularly had a deep admiration and connection towards killer whales like no other tribe in Pacific Northwest Coast. According to their beliefs, orcas are the most powerful beings within the entire ocean with Haida mythology telling stories of towns and houses where they would live under the sea; taking on a humanoid form once they were submerged under. Those who drowned would also join the orcas, similarly to how the Kwakiutl believed dead chiefs would reincarnate into killer whales after death. In order to connect with the spirit realm, where human and orca would be able to communicate and feast together, the Haida would wear skins of killer whales.
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