Long, long ago, when the world was still formless and the skies had no name, three ancient beings emerged from the dawn of creation: Bear, guardian of the deep forest; Raven, traveler between the skies and shadows; and Salmon, spirit of the waters and rebirth.
Each believed themselves to be the center of all life.
Bear roared:
"It is I who keep the forest alive. My claws turn the soil so roots can dig deep. Without me, the woods would wither, and you would all perish."
Raven cackled, voice like cracking fire:
"You are heavy as stone, Bear. I brought light from the dark when the world was blind. I see what no eye sees, speak to the spirits, and delivered fire to mankind."
Salmon spoke softly, voice like flowing water:
"Have you forgotten? Life flows with the river. Each year, I return to the place of my birth to bring forth a new generation. Bear feeds on me. The forest grows from my body. Even Raven must drink from my waters in the end."
Their quarrel lasted seven full moons. The earth trembled, the rivers dried, the sky dimmed. Humanity wandered in confusion, starving and spiritless.
Watching this sorrow, the Great Ancestor — a spirit older than wind and dew — appeared. They did not scold, only sighed and said:
"My children, each of you is sacred, but you have forgotten this: no one thrives alone. No one is greater than the rest. Bear is strong, but needs Salmon to live. Raven is wise, but needs the trees to perch. Salmon is sacred, but needs rivers held by the forest. If you cannot live in harmony, then I shall bind you together — into a circle with no beginning and no end — to remind all life that survival is not singular, but shared."
From then on, Bear, Raven, and Salmon ceased their battle. They were joined into a sacred form — three spirits in one circle — carved into wood, painted on stone, sewn into the cloth of the tribes from Alaska to Vancouver.
And ever since, people learned to live with nature, not above it. From Bear, they learned strength. From Raven, wisdom.
From Salmon, selflessness. And they understood: when one spirit suffers, the whole circle trembles.
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