Tseiqami

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Tseiqami is the Kwakwaka'wakw name of Thunderbird, the giant eagle spirit who rules the winter skies, bringing thunder with his wings and lightning with his eyes. He is the patron deity of the Kwakiutl winter dance ceremonies, and as a helper of many heroic ancestors, is one of the principal figures on family crest totem poles all throughout the Northwest Coast. He is said to hunt giant whales in the ocean and eat them as if they were mere salmon. He is known to have assisted several clan ancestors in building their houses by placing the giant cedar tree beams so that the roofs could be constructed. As spirit of winter, Tseiqami remains the adversary of the summer spirit who is called Qaniqilak or Kumugwe. Thunderbird also fights with Sisiyutl, a giant three-headed sea serpent.