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Orca Chief
Orca Chief, the story of four hunters who encounter the Chief of the Killer Whales, is the third in a series of Northwest Coast Legends by Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd. Their previous collaborations, Raven Brings the Light (2013) and Cloudwalker (2014), are award-winning national bestsellers.
Thousands of years ago in the village of Kitkatla, four hunters leave home in the spring to harvest seaweed and sockeye. When they arrive at their fishing grounds, exhaustion makes them lazy and they throw their anchor overboard without care for the damage it might do to marine life or the seafloor.
The anchor lands on the roof of the Chief of the Killer Whales' home. He sends a ratfish to investigate, but the men, annoyed by the sound of the scout, pull its fins off and throw it back into the ocean. When Orca Chief discovers what the hunters have done, he has his most powerful swimmers drag the men and their boat to his house. The men beg forgiveness for their ignorance and lack of respect, and Orca Chief sends them out with his pod to show them how to sustainably and respectfully harvest the ocean's resources. When the men return to their village, they share the knowledge and the food they have gained from their time with the Killer Whales.
Accompanied by almost exclusively new illustrations by Roy Henry Vickers, this next installment of the Northwest Coast Legends will captivate readers young and old with its vivid imagery and remarkable storytelling.
Thousands of years ago in the village of Kitkatla, four hunters leave home in the spring to harvest seaweed and sockeye. When they arrive at their fishing grounds, exhaustion makes them lazy and they throw their anchor overboard without care for the damage it might do to marine life or the seafloor.
The anchor lands on the roof of the Chief of the Killer Whales' home. He sends a ratfish to investigate, but the men, annoyed by the sound of the scout, pull its fins off and throw it back into the ocean. When Orca Chief discovers what the hunters have done, he has his most powerful swimmers drag the men and their boat to his house. The men beg forgiveness for their ignorance and lack of respect, and Orca Chief sends them out with his pod to show them how to sustainably and respectfully harvest the ocean's resources. When the men return to their village, they share the knowledge and the food they have gained from their time with the Killer Whales.
Accompanied by almost exclusively new illustrations by Roy Henry Vickers, this next installment of the Northwest Coast Legends will captivate readers young and old with its vivid imagery and remarkable storytelling.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 26, 2015
Absolutely gorgeous picture book, with a wonderful story.
December 1, 2019
Other yes a very depiction and overview of sealife of the BC coast but also a parable of good stewardship of the said coast akin to storytelling of the local First Nations with matching illustration style.
July 4, 2021
I appreciate these collaborations between Roy Henry Vickers and Robert ‘Lucky” Budd. Each book contains a simple yet oft overlooked lesson along with beautiful paintings, this one on protecting our oceans.
October 11, 2018
This beautifully illustrated book reminds all of us to be mindful of the world around us. It shows us how connected we are to the rest of the planet and to give thanks for what we get from it.
July 25, 2021
Absolutely gorgeous book featuring a legend of the Canadian Northwest. Great story and outstanding illustrations.
July 30, 2021
Really nice artwork. OK story.
Update: listened to the original telling of this story and it was WAY better than the story in this book. Why did they change it?! :(
Update: listened to the original telling of this story and it was WAY better than the story in this book. Why did they change it?! :(
October 31, 2026
Read this as part of the course Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education. It is critical to learn, listen and honour the stories of First Nations peoples.
March 26, 2017
Gorgeous book. Part legend and part environmental lesson we learn about the Orca Chief and his friends telling humans how to live in the natural world.
September 14, 2016
See my full review here:
https://havekidwillteardrop.com/2016/...
During our boat trip last summer we made a quick stop in Sidney, British Columbia. Sidney is a gorgeous little town outside of Victoria and is home to one of my favorite book shops called Tanner’s Books. They had a display featuring local award winning authors and a book called “Orca Chief” by Roy Henry Vickers and Robert “Lucky” Budd that caught my eye. When I opened the front cover I immediately fell in love. I knew this was a book I wanted and I was going to keep forever.
The story is one of the First Nation’s Legends. 4 fisherman leave their village of Kitkatla in the northwestern part of British Columbia. After paddling for a long time the fisherman are tired and just drop their anchor without saying a prayer and asking for the anchor to find a safe place on the bottom of the ocean. The Ocra Chief learns of this and sends his most powerful Orca warriors to bring the fisherman and their boat to his house. The fisherman are ashamed and beg forgiveness for their mistake and the Orca Chief is very compassionate towards them. The lessons taught in this story are lessons we should all consider thinking more about in this day and age – compassion and forgiveness for one another, respect for our waters and the life in them, and learning from others.
The book is really lovely and we highly recommend it to everyone!
https://havekidwillteardrop.com/2016/...
During our boat trip last summer we made a quick stop in Sidney, British Columbia. Sidney is a gorgeous little town outside of Victoria and is home to one of my favorite book shops called Tanner’s Books. They had a display featuring local award winning authors and a book called “Orca Chief” by Roy Henry Vickers and Robert “Lucky” Budd that caught my eye. When I opened the front cover I immediately fell in love. I knew this was a book I wanted and I was going to keep forever.
The story is one of the First Nation’s Legends. 4 fisherman leave their village of Kitkatla in the northwestern part of British Columbia. After paddling for a long time the fisherman are tired and just drop their anchor without saying a prayer and asking for the anchor to find a safe place on the bottom of the ocean. The Ocra Chief learns of this and sends his most powerful Orca warriors to bring the fisherman and their boat to his house. The fisherman are ashamed and beg forgiveness for their mistake and the Orca Chief is very compassionate towards them. The lessons taught in this story are lessons we should all consider thinking more about in this day and age – compassion and forgiveness for one another, respect for our waters and the life in them, and learning from others.
The book is really lovely and we highly recommend it to everyone!
August 6, 2016
Worldview - Universally Acceptable
Setting:
Location - Kitkatla, Prince Rupert, British Columbia Time Period - Pre-Contact
Review
This easy to understand picture book, makes the First Nation legend a fun and accessible story to introduce children to the culture. The appealing story line and simplicity of the telling paired with the large sized art work make this an ideal book to use as a read aloud. The aboriginal art with brightly coloured, sweeping coastal images is absolutely breathtaking and is the true star of this simple story.
Four men set out to fish, but after paddling very far they carelessly throw their anchor stone onto the house of the Orca Chief. Being merciful, he teaches them the way of the sea and how to find food. He reminds them to always give thanks for the food that they take from nature.
Teacher Application
A West-coast First Nations unit would benefit from this book. The art work alone would be a wonderful art appreciation addition.
Various Pacific wild life is mentioned. Children would enjoy following this book up with a nonfiction book with lots of photos of the creatures and plants discussed.
Character Traits Taught
Respect for Nature
Remorse for careless and disrespectful behavior
Forgiveness
Parental Warning
N/A
Setting:
Location - Kitkatla, Prince Rupert, British Columbia Time Period - Pre-Contact
Review
This easy to understand picture book, makes the First Nation legend a fun and accessible story to introduce children to the culture. The appealing story line and simplicity of the telling paired with the large sized art work make this an ideal book to use as a read aloud. The aboriginal art with brightly coloured, sweeping coastal images is absolutely breathtaking and is the true star of this simple story.
Four men set out to fish, but after paddling very far they carelessly throw their anchor stone onto the house of the Orca Chief. Being merciful, he teaches them the way of the sea and how to find food. He reminds them to always give thanks for the food that they take from nature.
Teacher Application
A West-coast First Nations unit would benefit from this book. The art work alone would be a wonderful art appreciation addition.
Various Pacific wild life is mentioned. Children would enjoy following this book up with a nonfiction book with lots of photos of the creatures and plants discussed.
Character Traits Taught
Respect for Nature
Remorse for careless and disrespectful behavior
Forgiveness
Parental Warning
N/A
January 21, 2017
I think this was my favourite of the three Roy Henry Vickers books I recently got out from the library. They all have amazing illustrations but I liked the story in this one the best - how people learned to give thanks for their food. A good story to help reinforce some of the values I try to teach my kids.
April 14, 2015
Stunning illustrations; breathtaking!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews