In this Kitasoo First Nations story of Raven, long after he had descended from the heavens and created The Green. Then Man started popping out of seed pods along with the first woman. Raven had created it all. And yet…Raven was not satisfied. Raven wanted something to remind him of the Long White Time of before. So he chose Bear, the keeper of dreams and memory to help him out. Raven sought Black Bear out. He didn’t have to go far, as he is always seen as a constellation of the stars in the night sky.

Raven made a pact with Black Bear. Black Bear agreed after he was given assurances from Raven, that he could live in peace and safety for all time, by letting one out of every ten Black Bears turn white. This was for a reminder for Raven of the misery of the great ice age of before. The White Bears to this day are still called Moksgm’ol, by the Kitasoo and T’simshian people.

The echoes of this ancient legend can still be heard today in the Great Bear Rainforest. Filmmaker Karine Gerest visits Hartley Bay and the Klemtu communities in BC where she witnesses the wonder of the sacred “Spirit Bear” and learns more about its importance to saving our environment.

French narration / English subtitles.