The raven is considered the most intelligent of all birds. It is large and impressive and has a wingspan of up to four feet. Pairs mate for life, with a territory that may exceed 1,000 square miles. The Raven has considerable adaptive skills and is able to thrive in the southwest desert as well as in the subzero temperatures of the Arctic. Wherever people have co-existed with the raven, from the Americas to Scandinavia, they have recognized this bird as a special creature and incorporated it into their myths and legends.

A Northwest Coast Indian creation myth describes a Gray Eagle that possesses the sun, stars, fire, and water. Gray Eagle hates people and denies the earth the gifts of light, heat, and fresh water. A Raven that is courting Gray Eagle's daughter visits the Gray Eagles in their house in the sky. When Raven sees the beautiful sun, stars, and water, he knows he must share them with the rest of the world. Raven quickly takes the boxes containing the lights and flies through the smoke hole in Gray Eagle's house in the sky. Raven spreads the sun, stars, water, and fire throughout the sky and earth, for all people to enjoy. The earth is then illuminated.