Mouse Woman drawing by Luke J. Parnell
The Beat
A monthly newsletter about the art of
the First Nations of Canada’s West Coast
“ Skaaga” Pole carved by Lyle Campbell
Haida artist Lyle Campbell is one of two carvers commissioned through the Lattimer Gallery to create poles for a California doctor over the last year. “I’ve always wanted to carve a shaman. They have such an otherworldly appearance and it’s very powerful. I just really wanted to capture the imagination,” said Campbell. On the pole, the shaman holds a frog rattle, surrounded by three small frogs, his “spirit helpers”, surmounted and protected by three watchmen. Distinguishing features of the surface are painted, but much of the natural wood is finished with groove-like chiseling, almost like a fluted column. It will be shipped this month.
While Mr. Campbell is a carver much respected for his long experience as an artist, he says that this is the first time he has carved a pole completely in the round. His apprentice was Richard Timms , and others, including family members assisted the artist. Arthur Pearson of Skidegate supplied the 700-pound, eight’ red cedar log. The work sold for about $40,000.
Norval Morrisseau – Copper Thunderbird Tribute
On Monday, February 4 on the Aboriginal Television Network – APTN – Marie Clements’ play Copper Thunderbird , a moving tribute to recently deceased artist Norval Morrisseau , will be on air at 9 pm, repeating at midnight and Tuesday February 5 th at 4 pm ET & PT. In Vancouver you will find APTN at Shaw Cable 103. The play is not a biography, but instead follows Morrisseau’s spiritual journey from his childhood on a reserve by Lake Nipigon to his renowned role as a Grand Shaman and native Canadian artist of wide renown.
Further news on the Metis author of the play: on January 22, Marie Clements was appointed to the British Columbia Arts Council. She is also an award-winning performer and director and founder of Urban Ink Productions. A resident of Galiano Island, she has been appointed by the BC government to the council of 15 members who are mandated to support the arts and culture in BC and allocate the money for the arts appropriated annually by the Legislature. Arts Council Chair is Donald M. Shumka and Vice-Chair is Alma Lee.
Destruction of Cultural Sites in Prince Rupert Harbour
The Coast Tsimshian nations have expressed deep concern about the proposed second stage development of the Fairview Terminal for container shipping in Prince Rupert harbour. Among other issues raised by the development are the planned excavations which would disturb ancestral graves and potential archaeological sites. Because the natural resources were so abundant, the area was very densely inhabited for thousands of years. Past excavations have shown that the ancestors of the Tsimshian nations have lived continuously for at least 10,000 years in the rich and beautiful harbour area around present-day Prince Rupert on the northern British Columbia coast.
Tsimshian Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla nations hosted a seminar in late January 2008 chaired by British Columbia’s former Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnola, on Prince Rupert Harbour Archaeological Management Planning, which resulted in a strong statement of shared concern by the nations. One immediate project which may result from the seminar is a memorial to the ancestors whose graves are already under the Fairview Terminal, said James Bryant , Cultural Liason for the Lax Kw’alaams.
Dr. George MacDonald , Director Emeritus of the Canadian Museum of Civilization, long the foremost scholar in the field, helped to organize the seminar. According to Dr. MacDonald, more than 600 wooden and basketry items were found by archaeologists before bulldozers destroyed the main part of the site. “Wet sites provide the kind of artworks in wood and basketry that trace the emergence of the Northwest Coast art form over thousands of years. The soil chemistry in Prince Rupert harbour is optimal for the preservation of artifacts and human remains. We may even be able to find remains with usable DNA samples, if the Tsimshian nations wish to go that route. The traditional art forms of the northern First Nations in this area have been acknowledged internationally as significant to the heritage of mankind. All the evidence is there in Prince Rupert.” He also pointed out that an important record of environmental change over the centuries, not just cultural change, lies beneath this ground.
An expert archaeologist privately expressed astonishment that the recent site assessment by a team of consultants hired by the developers had stated that there was no material of interest in that area.
On January 14, the Government of Canada appointed Douglas Eyford as the chief federal negotiator to work with the Allied Tribes of the Tsimshian Coast to seek a favourable resolution among the concerned parties. All parties are anxious to reach a solution soon on this matter; the new phase of the port on Kaien Island in Prince Rupert harbour will provide much-needed jobs for the area.
Tsimshian Treasures at UBC’s Museum of Anthropology
A brilliant opening celebration for the Museum of Anthropology’s exhibition of many of the works in the Dundas Collection was held on February 3, 2008. After the opening procession and welcome by the Coast Salish peoples, elders, chiefs and elected representatives of the Tsimshian nations spoke not just of their great joy in seeing the important artifacts of their ancestors, but also of the issues connected to the Prince Rupert harbour archaeology and their determination to participate in the management of the excavations (see above).
“ Our ancestors’ bones are speaking to us now,” said one speaker.
After hearing some oblique references to the desirability of repatriation of cultural artifacts to their homeland, MOA Director Anthony Shelton mentioned an upcoming event at the museum, a conference entitled “Porous Borders: The Loss and Return of National Treasures”, from April 24 to 26. Topics include local repatriations such as one in 2007 from Seattle to Chiliwack, looting in war-torn Iraq and international efforts to end illicit trade in antiquities. Would a session on First Nations cultural/archaeological sites lost to the bulldozers of developers in British Columbia not be equally relevant to the theme?
The Dancers of Damelahamid will inaugurate We yah hani nah Coastal First Nations Dance Festival , bringing together a rich diversity of traditional Aboriginal dance groups from Vancouver Island and the coast of British Columbia. They will be performing on February 17, March 2 and March 16, all at at 3 pm at the UBC Museum of Anthropology.
Talking Stick Festival in Vancouver
A festival of First Nations contemporary culture opens on February 11, 2008 and continues until February 17. Performers and artists from across North America present new works in many venues in Vancouver. On Saturday, February 16 at The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre in Vancouver’s Yaletown at 1 pm, First Nations visual artists will speak about their work, with an Open Dialogue at 3 pm All Our Relations: The traditions of Artist & Community. More information can be found at the venue websites, and at the website of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games who have sponsored the above three events:
Emily Carr Institute Speaker Series
On Friday, March 14, Gerald McMaster , Curator of Canadian Art at the Art Gallery of Ontario, is speaking at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design on: “The Double Entendre of Re-enactment: From Caitlin to Monkman”. Talk is at 3 pm in Lecture Hall 301, South Building.
This talk is sponsored by ECI’s Annual Aboriginal Awareness Days and will be followed by the opening reception for the Aboriginal Student Art Exhibit in the Concourse Gallery. All this is at the Emily Carr Institute on Granville Island in Vancouver. More information at 604 844-3800.
New Film on Pacific Art Launched
On February 21, 2008, a new 48-minute film Killer Whale and Crocodile will be launched at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
It shows BC Salish artist John Marston and Papua New Guinea Sepik artist Teddy Balangu working as they confront issues of tradition and community dialogue. In 2006, Mr. Balangu worked as artist-in-residence at the UBC Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver carving a clan post now in MOA’s collection. It will be exhibited in 2009. The film is available on DVD at the Alcheringa Gallery in Victoria for $39.95.
The Alcheringa Gallery is currently showing Pacific Prints 2008, with work from the above artists as well as Salish lessLIE, Maynard Johnny Jr. and others. See www.alcheringa-gallery.com
Another release, Kuwoot yas.ein: His Spirit is Looking Out from the Cave , tells the story of a First Nations’ community’s reaction to the discovery of 10,000-year old human remains in On Your Knees Cave on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska. Scientists and Tlingit elders thoughtfully discuss their reactions and beliefs, and reach an agreement on how to proceed with excavations and scientific testing. The film can be previewed in a low resolution version online at: www.archaeologychannel.org/content/video/kuwoot_56kW.html
Haida Heritage Centre News
In late January, Haida artist Bill Bellis successfully steamed the canoe he has been working on for months at the Haida Heritage Centre in Skidegate in the Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands. This procedure is a tense and crucial step in the creation of the canoe: very hot stones are dropped into the water-filled canoe and the resulting steam expansion must spread the sides apart sufficiently to create the wide curve desired. A split at this stage could ruin the entire monumental project. Mr. Bellis is one of three masters who are each carving a war canoe at the Haida Heritage Centre. He is also completing the second of two large welcome panels for the town of Skidegate, each depicting the raven and eagle clans.
First Nations Themes in Contemporary Music:
Bill Reid’s Spirit of Haida Gwaii Performed in Vancouver
Performances of Bill Ruddell’s musical composition Spirit of the Haida Gwaii at Vancouver’s lovely Anglican Christ Church Cathedral on February 1 and 2 went beautifully. Bill Reid , Canada’s best-known Haida artist, wrote a “prose poem” about his sculpture Spirit of the Haida Gwaii which inspired the music for Ruddell’s work in 1998. Reid’s sculpture is reproduced on the back of Canada’s $20 bill.
Welcoming words and dance performances were given by Salish performers, as well as Haida songs by Guujaw and Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson . Then the choir of the Cathedral and a fine orchestra led by Rupert Lang then performed the main work, to the delight of the near-capacity audience.
The exquisite songs by Ms. Williams-Davidson were just a foretaste of an upcoming release of a CD package by the Haida Gwaii Singers Society , an unprecedented treasure presenting expert performances of traditional Haida music, with supporting print material. Further releases are planned. More information is available at:
Haida Gwaii Singers Society
16541 Upper Beach Road
Surrey BC V3S 9R7
Canada
It is interesting to note that a symphony inspired by an ancient First Nations story, with narrative in Navajo and English, will be premiered by the Phoenix Arizona Symphony February 7-9, 2008. Enemy Slayer: A Navajo Oratorio has been created by composer Mark Grey and librettist Laura Tohe, a Navajo Dine poet and professor at Arizona State University. Dr. Tohe’s contemporary version of the story describes the journey of a young Navajo war veteran who seeks to restore peace and balance in his life after a deeply troubling, violent and destructive war experience in Iraq.
Upcoming Auctions of Northwest Art
At noon on February 16, 2008, Seahawk Auctions of Vancouver is holding an auction of Northwest First Nations art in Burnaby. Among works offered for sale is an estate collection of more than 100 NW masks. Included are works by Dwayne Simeon, Russell Smith and Henry Roberts. See www.seahawkauctions.com for more information.
On March 26, 2008 at 6 pm Maynards in Vancouver will hold an auction sale of Northwest Coast and Inuit art and artifacts including basketry, masks, model poles, blankets, argillite and soapstone carving, and jewellery. Currently accepting consignments.
See www.maynards.com
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Thanks to the many people who have assisted with this publication by passing on information. Comments, news and new subscribers are welcomed. Please write to: editor@coastalartbeat.ca
Past issues are available at our website www.coastalartbeat.ca
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The Beat is an independent, not-for-profit project written and published in Vancouver Canada by Ann Cameron. Copyright 2008 Ann Cameron.
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I thank and acknowledge the Musqueam Nation and all the Coastal Salish nations within whose traditional lands we work and live .