Natsilane

Natsilane

Natsilane is the young chieftain of the Haida on Queen Florence Island. He went by the Western name of "Nick".

History

Harvard-educated, Natsilane was skeptical about the legends and beliefs of his people, particularly the old tales of Raven lurking on a volcano top and periodically laying waste to the island. When Raven made his most recent attempt to seize control of Queen Florence Island in 1995, Grandmother urged Natsilane to challenge the trickster as his ancestors had done, but he refused to believe her. Elisa at last introduced Goliath, Angela, and Bronx to the young man, to show him that mythical beings did exist; Natsilane at last had to accept the fact that Raven existed, sought him out at his volcano lair, and defeated him in single combat. Presumably, he became more ready to heed the old ways of his people afterwards.

Real world background

The name "Natsilane" is derived from a culture hero of Native American mythology, specifically that of the Tlingit people of Western Canada. The Tlingit and Haida were aware of each other, although the Tlingit lived on the mainland and the Haida lived on islands out to sea. Natsilane was most famous for having created the first Killer Whale out of a block of wood.

Production Background

Voice Actor: Gregg Rainwater