Raven
Tlingit · deity · mythic primordial · deity
Classed as a deity though the Tlingit treat Yéil as a culture-hero/trickster-demiurge; he names the Raven (Yéil) moiety. 'Raven's work' (Yéil yéi jineiyí) names the landscape features attributed to his deeds. Distinct from but cognate with Haida Yáahl and Kwakwaka'wakw U'melth.
Domains
- creation and world ordering
- daylight and light
- trickery
Powers
- steal the box of daylight from the sky-chief
- steal the everlasting fresh water from Petrel
- fashion the first people from rock and leaf
- transforms himself to a hemlock needle to be reborn of the sky-chief's daughter
Epithets
- Yéil
- Kit-ka'ositiyi-qa
Relations
- rival: Petrel
- rival: Fog Master