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Where? Booth D14
Circle Craft Christmas Market
Vancouver, BC
When? November 8-12, 2023
Please come and say good-bye to 7 years of our Reg Davidson/Dahlia Drive Collection.
Wear a Yaahl, Guud, Tsai piece!
#TheLastHundred
“The designs are our ancestors’ voices from the past. They speak of the language of formline and split-U, and their echoes remind us of the ravens’ croaking in the forest and the songs you can sometimes hear on the surf. They whisper stories of noble ones and the spirit of beings of the land, sky and ocean. They reaffirm our connection to our islands and our ancestors, and recall the time when Raven went Travelling.” – Reg Davidson
Reg Davidson
Díi Ýaat’áagang. I am Haida.
Ga Ts’áak’aas gúust uu díi k’wáalaagang. I am from the Eagle moiety
Reg Davidson, of the Tsahl Eagle clan, is a master carver. Great grandson of Charles Edenshaw, he was born and continues to live in Masset, Haida Gwaii. He has been carving argillite, silver, wood and totem poles since 1972. In 1976, Reg began an apprenticeship with his brother, Robert Davidson. In 1980, they founded the Rainbow Creek Dancers, a group that still performs traditional Haida songs and dances.
Reg has established himself as an internationally recognized artist adept in many mediums, commissioned for work from all over the world. His most visible works to date stand as magnificent cedar carvings at the Vancouver Airport arrivals terminal; Raven Stealing Beaver Lake, Raven Steals the Moon and Blind Halibut Fisherman.
Wendy Van Riesen
Dii t’iits Waasinjaanas. I am of European Decent
Wendy was born on Dahlia Drive in Los Angeles and moved to Calgary in the mid-‘60’s.
She studied acting at the University of Alberta and the Playhouse Acting School in Vancouver. After working 26 years on stage and film, she sailed with her family to Glacier Bay, Alaska in a converted fishing trawler called the Marvin B. That journey inspired her to leave acting and start telling her own stories, enrolling in and completing Capilano University’s Textile Arts Program. She uses skills gained from this education to create her line of clothing, Dahlia Drive.
In 2014, Wendy and her husband lived for a year on a sailboat in Delkatla Slough, Masset, Haida Gwaii. One day they visited Reg’s carving shed while he was carving the poles for YVR.
Áatl’an uu gu hal ñáatsgat-‘aawaan. This is where they met each other.
‘Ravens, Eagles, Polka Dots’ launched at Eco Fashion Week 2016 with the tremendous assistance of Joleen Mitton and her mentored group of young Indigenous models.
Known as the trickster, transformer and creator, Yáahl shapes itself and the world around it with spontaneous aplomb, often creating mischief. Ravens love shiny things.
Known as a spiritual guide that provides connection to a higher realm, Guud represents strength of character, courage and healing power. Eagles mate for life and are fiercely loyal.
Known for intelligence, leadership and a strong sense of family values, Guuj is a great team player and mates for life. G̱úuj symbolizes perseverance, intuition and success .
The Hummingbird is the messenger of joy. Known for its fortitude and ability to overcome great obstacles, Dakdakdíiyáa symbolizes the spirit of metamorphosis, peace, healing and love.
Ts’ing are determined builders of the mind, body and soul. A hard worker, they symbolize creativity, cooperation, persistence and harmony.
Hlḵ’yáan ḵ’úst’aan is the voice of the people, symbolizing openness, stability and superior communication. It represents great wealth.
Tsiin is the provider of life. Bringing the riches of the sea to spawning rivers, Salmon symbolizes prosperity, fertility, abundance, renewal and good luck.
A collaboration between renowned Haida artist Reg Davidson and textile artist Wendy Van Riesen.
Wendy Van Riesen
wendyvanriesen@gmail.com
Visit Dahlia Drive
Erma Lawrence
Candace Weir – iihlajaadkaanas of the Yaghujaanas clan
Jasḵwaan Bedard
Advisor: Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson
Permission to use phrases from Ýaat Kíl hl Sñ’at’áa! Alaskan Haida Phrasebook Written by Áljuhl Erma Lawrence Edited by Yáahl Ñ’ánggwdangaa Jordan Lachler Sealaska Heritage
‘Wáadluwaan díi dah gudáang. I want to buy all of it.
Dángkw gudangáay ‘láa us? Are you happy?
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