"MOKSGM'OL"
~.~
Raven, the Creator,
Saw that the world was bitter cold.
Everything was covered in white.
Ice and snow had a firm foothold.
The sun refused to shine its light.
~.~
All the bears were hungry.
They couldn't find food any where.
They cried to Raven for relief.
Raven heard their desperate prayer.
There'd be no sorrow, no more grief.
~.~
Raven turned the land green.
But to remind them of their past,
Every tenth bear was turned white.
"Moksgm'ol" had arrived at last.
Spirit Bear, a beautiful sight.

(C) Copy written, 1 October, 2004, by Karla Dorman.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is a legend told by the Tsimshiam peoples of British Columbia (Canada) of the Spirit Bear (Ursa Americanus Kermodie), also known as the Kermode.  They are a subspecies of the American Black Bear, and are not polar bears at all.  A genetic abnormality gives them their white color; they are not true albinos (white skin or fur, pink eyes).

They typically weigh several ounces at birth; when fully grown adults, they will weigh around 300 pounds.  They are gentle creatures, not easily provoked to attack.  They will only attack if starving or if someone threatens to injure their young.

Their habitat is the British Columbia forests, primarily from Princess Royal Island to East Hazelton, Terrace, Prince Rupert Island, or approximately 7.2 million hectacres.