Discussion of Thunderbird and Snake, 1962, CBC video clip.
Reporter June Caldwood (JC) and Norval Morrisseau (NM)
JC: Would you describe for us something that is one of your paintings–say the big coloured one of what seems to be a bird and what seems to be a snake?
NM: Well the picture represents a Thunderbird and the the lightning, these are lightning marks that are shooting forth from its eyes. The lightning goes on top of its head the snakes head to paralyze it. And these the last tail scrim markings on its tail, these are medicine symbols, and represents any medicine here, what the Indians know. The bottom round lines are connected with the snake. They are medicine symbols also–good and bad. And of course the claw marks were the blood.
JC: What are the sort of patterns on the snake?
NM: Well you could say the scales for the snake and those little marks on the Thunderbird, I thought I would put them on there because they look so sacred to me.