I Am Raven Book

I Am Raven: A Story of Discovery is a recent release by Métis author David Bouchard about the importance of understanding one's character. Using the exquisite illustrations of Kwakwaka’wakw artist Andy Everson, the author explains this journey to self-knowledge using readily identifiable Northwest Coast imagery and story. Finding one's true identity through the story about a wise chief and his quest to organize a potlatch provides readers with concrete examples from the human and animal worlds. A caring chief was planning to have a special totem pole carved because he knew he would die soon and wanted to leave a lasting legacy for his friends through the images on the pole. After asking for guidance from his wild cousins, several animals appear at his home offering special gifts to influence the final decision. Each animal explained the reason for presenting the chief with the gifts such as a canoe, a headdress, and a medicine bag. One by one the beaver, bear, wolf, eagle, otter, and raven came to the chief with special presents. Finally the raven offered the chief the ability to understand his true nature by seeing his reflection in the water. Then the raven explained that the chief's totem or clan was the raven because the raven had taught the man to see clearly when difficulties arose. The images created by Andy Everson allow readers to imagine the meetings between the chief and his animal cousins. The author's note at the end of the book provides older readers with an understanding of the character traits of various guardian or spirit totems. The book provides a unique Northwest Coast First Nations perspective on character education and understanding one's identity and strengths.