Raven Tales
Raven Tales is series of 26, half-hour, CGI (Computer-Generated Imaging) animated television programs, targeted at school-age children and their families to introduce native Aboriginal folklore in a humorous and entertaining way. They tell the stories of the adventures of Raven, the most powerful deity of Aboriginal mythology. Each episode focuses on a new Raven Tale (or one that is introduced by Raven) that has been adapted from the folklore of many Aboriginal nations. The pilot episode, How Raven Stole the Sun, was adapted from a popular Haida myth, but has elements of Salish and Kwakiutl, while others episodes have been adapted from Cree, Salish, Nisgaa, Comanche, Navaho and other Native American stories. The Raven Tales, like the Simpsons, finds a lot of its humor based on the interactions of its re-occurring ensemble cast. The three principal characters, Raven, Eagle and Frog, anchor the show and provide familiar faces and humorous antics that bookend each episode. Other characters include Old Man and his Daughter (from the pilot episode), Sea Wolf, Kolus and a small tribe of aboriginal men and women who are introduced as the tales progress.
- 2004-2010
- 4 seasons
- Animation
Raven Tales is series of 26, half-hour, CGI (Computer-Generated Imaging) animated television programs, targeted at school-age children and their families to introduce native Aboriginal folklore in a humorous and entertaining way. They tell the stories of the adventures of Raven, the most powerful deity of Aboriginal mythology. Each episode focuses on a new Raven Tale (or one that is introduced by Raven) that has been adapted from the folklore of many Aboriginal nations. The pilot episode, How Raven Stole the Sun, was adapted from a popular Haida myth, but has elements of Salish and Kwakiutl, while others episodes have been adapted from Cree, Salish, Nisgaa, Comanche, Navaho and other Native American stories. The Raven Tales, like the Simpsons, finds a lot of its humor based on the interactions of its re-occurring ensemble cast. The three principal characters, Raven, Eagle and Frog, anchor the show and provide familiar faces and humorous antics that bookend each episode. Other characters include Old Man and his Daughter (from the pilot episode), Sea Wolf, Kolus and a small tribe of aboriginal men and women who are introduced as the tales progress.
Season 4 Episode Guide
7 Episodes 2009 - 2010
Episode 1
Spiders and Dreams
Winadzi is having nightmares. He doesn't want to sleep at night and Abas is worried. She asks Raven for advice and Raven tells her she will find help in the most unlikely place. The next morning Abas sees a spider quietly spinning his web in his own space near Winadzi's bed. She starts to wipe away the web then stops. The spider gives her a little nod then continues. Each day, Abas watches the spider at work, quietly spinning away. One day as she is watching him, Widi comes in. He gets ready to smash the spider but Abas stops him. Widi is puzzled, but Abas tells him to wait, she wants to see the spider finish. When Widi leaves, the spider thanks Abas for saving her life. It says to her, "For many days you have watched me spin and weave my web. You have admired my work. In return for saving my life, I will give you a gift." She smiles her special spider smile and moves away, spinning as she goes. Soon, the moon glistens on a magical silvery web moving gently in the breeze. "See how I spin?" she says. "See and learn, for each web will snare bad dreams. Only good dreams will go through the small hole. This is my gift to you. Use it so that only good dreams will be remembered. The bad dreams will become hopelessly entangled in the web." Abas starts creating her own web the next day out of leather twine and hangs it over Winadzi's bed. That night he sleeps without a nightmare, and they decide to call their new gift a Dream Catcher.
Episode 2
Bukwas
On a hunt with the men and boys, Dza gets separated. Evening begins to fall. As she walks along the beach she sees a man gathering clams and shells. This is Bukwas. He takes her in and teaches her to sing, beat a drum and live off the snails and clams and creatures on the beach. Meanwhile the people of the village search for Dza but end up lost and trapped themselves. Bukwas explains to Dza that he is lonely. Dza replies that she knows somebody he might marry. They return to the Village to find nobody there. They follow the tracks and find all of the people trapped. They guide the First People back to the Village. Never again will they doubt Dza, and they agree to help Bukwas find a wife. First the elders ask Bukwas to describe what his wife would look like. They imagine a beautiful woman. When they ask Dza what her husband would look like they imagine a very handsome man. They decide Dza and Bukwas are not looking for each other. The children believe Dza and Bukwas are a good match. How to bring them together? The children ask Bukwas and Dza what KIND of person they would like as a companion. When Bukwas and Dza answer they describe each other. The children set up a meeting. Bukwas and Dza are smitten with each other when they talk about their shared interests. The parents ask the children how they knew they were right for each other and the children explain "it isn't all about looks you know" and scamper away.
Episode 3
Work and Play
Episode 4
Change and Butterflies
Episode 5
A Day in the Life
Raven seeks a respite in the forest, but soon finds himself in the midst of a dispute over a giant salmon.
Episode 6
The Return of Kulos
A killer whale deters the villagers from fishing.
Episode 7
Musicians of the Sun
Raven is sent by the Great Spirit to free the musicians of the sun.