THIS CARVING ILLUSTRATES A HAIDA LEGEND OF THE COMING OF THE FIRST MEN. IN TIME IMMEMORIAL A RAVEN OPENED A CLAM ON THE NORTH END OF SANDSPIT IN THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS AND THE FIRST HAIDA PEOPLE EMERGED (I HOPE UI HAVE THE GIST OF THIS RIGHT AND PLEASE CORRECT ME IF YOU CAN ADD TO THIS).
THIS WAS CARVED BY BILL REID WHO ALSO DID THE BRONZE "BLACK CANOE" WHICH SITS IN THE COURTYARD OF THE CANADIAN EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON AND IS FEATURED ON THE CANADIAN $20 BILL. THE ONLY OTHER SPECIMEN "THE JADE CANOE" SITS IN THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN VANCOUVER AND IS WELL WORTH A VISIT IF YOU PASS THROUGH THERE. IT'S MY FAVORITE SCULPTURE.