Why Bluejay Hops

Northwest Education: Native Students: Balancing Two Worlds

Spring 2004

A Skokomish legend as told by Georgia Miller

Long ago at a big meeting, Raven boasted about his arrow shooting. He was the best shot in the world. This is what he told everyone.

He prepared for someone to challenge him.

Skatefish came along. He made himself as big as he could. Dancing, he teased Raven's marksmanship. He gave Raven three chances to hit him.

Whizz! Raven's arrow shot forth. Laughing, Skatefish turned sideways.

Teasing Raven, Skatefish spread himself out again. Whizz! Another miss, another laugh.

Once more again! Raven missed three times!

Then Bluejay stepped forth. "I can do that too," he said. "I'll give you three chances."

Bluejay planned to copy Skatefish. He spread himself out like Skatefish and teased Raven.

Whizz! Raven's arrow shot forth. Bluejay turned sideways. Ping! Right in the hip! "Ow!" screamed Bluejay. He forgot he wasn't skinny like Skatefish. And ever since, because of his vanity, Bluejay hops.

The charming tale of Bluejay and Raven is one of 140 culturally relevant stories comprising The Indian Reading Series: Stories and Legends of the Northwest. Guided by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, Native authors and artists created the series cooperatively with a dozen Northwest Indian reservations.

This collection contains materials relevant to life in rural Native communities and is designed as a supplementary reading and language arts program. It's not intended to be used to teach Indian "culture," according to Robey Clark, a Blackfeet tribal member who works on Indian education issues at NWREL.

Long out of print, the popular series is now available online. Booklets and teacher's guides may be downloaded at www.nwrel.org/indianed/indianreading and used free of charge for educational purposes.

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