Art From The Tribe

This page exists because it was so difficult to find the images and descriptions to these images in any one place and I though that others would find this to be a helpful resource. Please feel free to submit corrections and additions to us at any time. You will find links to many other resources at the bottom of this page.

Most of the images on this page have been taken form other sources. A few are creations of my own design based on the Haida style. I have done this because I enjoy the art form and wanted to learn. Also, I couldn't find representations of some of the images anywhere so it was up to me to complete my collection.

Many of the images represent family crests. Some of the images below are not actually Haida but are done in Haida style. The crests, depending on what clan you are dictates what crests you have the right to use, or wear. The images are also used to tell stories such as in the case of totem poles.

Note: The meanings that I have posted next to the images come from many sources. I gathered a couple from here or there. Unfortunatly, when I started this project it was for my own use and I never originally intended on passing any of this information on to others so I didn't take proper source notes. This of course is very bad information gathering form and I should always identify the sources of my information. But what can I say, I messed up. The best I can offer now is to say that the information content on this page came from various sources and a few of the images are original art created by myself in the Haida style.

Update: 9/14/04 - After being contacted by several native Hiada persons, I leraned that in Hiada culture the crests when used as crests have no meaning. When used in totem poles they tell a story. But in neither case do individual images hold the meanings that I have listed next to them. This comes from personal information delivered from what I would consider reputable individuals such as skilled artists and musium curators. But other american indian tribes including some in the Northwest do attribute charictoristics to animals such as the bear, dear, beaver and eagle. The meanings listed below are therefore not likely related to the Hiada culture in any way, but instead are drawn from other indian cultures. So this page is a mix of Haida art and characteristic information from other tribles. I will try to add more detailed information in the near future to further clarify this information for you.

Powerful and human-like, Bear is referred to as Elder Kinsman and is treated as a high-ranking guest when killed. A legend shared by many tribes tells of a chief’s daughter abducted by a bear; she subsequently married the bear and gave birth to twin cubs. This legend is often depicted in both prints and carvings.

An important crest of the Haida and a creature very often depicted on totem poles, Beaver is said to have once been a woman. Tsimshian legend tells of a woman who dammed a stream so she could swim in it and then she refused to get out. She was transformed and her leather apron became Beaver’s tail.

Cougar was the Master Hunter, known for its high intelligence, its knowledge of other animal and life forms, its physical prowess, its strength of will, and its intuitive ability.

A crest often applied to utilitarian objects, the Dogfish is often portrayed with a labret on its lip, a reminder of a legend of a woman carried off by Dogfish a long time ago. The Dogfish is equipped with a dangerous pair of sharp bony spikes, protruding each just ahead of the Dogfish's two dorsal fins. Not considered appealing as food, Dogfish were not a valued commodity. In fact, Dogfish are a great nuisance to fishermen seeking Salmon, Halibut, and Cod: they have a voracious appetite for bait and sandpaper rough skin suited for severing fishing lines.

Known for its human traits, they where once humans, the great creator was asked by humans to make a bridge from the islands to the mainland, the creator said he would make a bridge, and he created a rainbow from the islands to the mainland, but if you fall off i will turn you into a sea creature, so many of humans tried to make the trip but the ones that fell off were turned into the first dolphins.

This image was created for the peace federation of Canada when Todd was 17.

Eagle is seen as a symbol of both power and prestige as well as a harbinger of peace and friendship. Eagle feathers are still considered sacred and were part of many ceremonies and rituals. Eagle is the other of the two main crests of the Haida.

Frog is often associated with copper and great wealth. Legendary Haida princes are said to have attended feasts wearing necklace chains made of living Frogs. The Haida carved Frog on house pole to prevent them from falling over. They also included them in many other carvings, from feast bowls to totem poles.

The Halibut is a flat fish that starts life swimming in a vertical plan and eventually turns over on its side to become a bottom feeder. The underneath eye moves to the upper side, giving the fish its unique appearance. Commonly carved in feast dishes and used for oolichan oil. The more detailed and elaborate a dish, the more highly ranked the person was who owned it.

The Hawk takes its place in the spiritual world of the supernatural. The Hawk, with its recurved beak,strongly resembles the Thunderbird.

A literal messenger of joy, this beautiful tiny bird, also called Sah Sen, represents friendship, playfulness, and is a symbol of good luck in Northwest Coastal Native art. It is a positive sign to see Sah Sen prior to a major event such as hunting or travelling to another village. Hummingbird's ability to hover back and forth at great speeds is believed to be a skill for guiding the people; if they fall behind Hummingbird can easily back up to keep pace.

Whale is the sea manifestation of Wolf; it is held in great awe for its size and power. It was believed a whale could capture a canoe, take it underwater and transform the occupants into whales. Thus, a whale near the shore is a human, transformed, trying to communicate with his family.

Some old men say the Kingfisher was meant in the beginning to be a water bird but as he had not been given either webbed feet or a good bill he could not make a living. The animals held a council over it and decided to make him a bill like a long sharp awl for a fishgig (fish spear). So they made him a fishgig and fastened it on the front of his mouth. He flew to the top of a tree, sailed out and darted down into the water, and came up with a fish on his gig. And he has been the best gigger ever since.

The melancholic-sounding bird was said to have delighted in frightening humans on shore or in canoes, as fog rolled in.

The Moon was the exclusive crest of only a few of the highest-ranking chiefs among the Haida; rights to this crest are still inherited. Raven is said to have released Moon and the stars are pieces of Moon, flung into the sky. An eclipse was said to be a codfish trying to swallow the moon and a bonfire, set with green boughs, choked the cod and stopped it.

It is said that, in early times, when the great Transformer was travelling the land, he came across a man sharpening a spear with which to kill him. He turned the man into an otter and the spear became its tail.

The Owl is one of the many crest figures depicted in Northwest Coast Native design. Often, they are associated with the souls of deceased ancestors and are viewed with respect.

The rabbit can be a symbol of either abundance or fear. If he freezes in fear he gets eaten! If he takes off running he multiplies. He teaches us not to let our fears paralyze us but rather to get moving and therefore to attract great abundance into our lives.

Raven is known as Transformer, Trickster, Hero, Creator and is one of the two main crests of the Haida. Legends credit Raven with, among other things, releasing the Sun and Moon, bringing water and fish and, according to the Haida, discovering mankind in a clamshell.

The Pacific Northwest Coast people believed that Salmon were actually humans with eternal life how lived in a large house far under the ocean. In the Spring, they put on their Salmon disguises and offered themselves to the villagers as food. The tribes believed that when entire fish skeletons were returned to the sea, the spirits would rise again and change into Salmon people. In this way, the cycle could begin again the following year. Since the villagers feared that the Salmon people would not be treated respectfully by White people who had no knowledge of the taboos and regulations, they did not want to sell Salmon to the first White men.

The staple food of may coastal Natives was brought to the rivers and seas by Raven. Many celebrated the first catch of the season with ceremonies of thanksgiving, to ensure a good harvest.

Released from a box by Raven, Sun Chief inhabited the sky and it is believed he could be reached by climbing a chain of arrows, and sliding down its long rays. The Sun is often carved on totems and masks and sits atop the tallest totem pole.

The graceful swan teaches us to "go with the flow," to release struggle and effort, and to know ourselves as beautiful. When we surrender to the spiritual current in our life we let go of the notion of ourselves as the "ugly duckling" and we begin to see ourselves with the grace and beauty of the swan.

Thunderbird is the most powerful supernatural creature. He lived in the mountains and fed on whales. When he flapped his wings, thunder rolled; he kept lightning snakes under his wings to aid him in killing whales. For this reason, whalers painted lightning snakes on their canoes.

An important family crest, Wolf was revered for his skill as a hunter. To become a good hunter, one must acquire the spirit power associated with Wolf. Haida legends have a supernatural Sea Wolf, Wasgo, a creature part Wolf and part Whale.

Artists With Artwork On This Page

• Bill Reid
  Art: dogfish
• Don Yeomans
  Art: butterfly
• Glen Wood
  Art: owl
• Glenn J. Schworak
  Art: dragon fly, hummingbird, otter, seal, wolf
• Joe David
  Art: swan
• Nathaniel P. Wilkerson
  Art: hummingbird, sun, wolf
• Robert Davidson
  Art: beaver, thunderbird
• Todd Jason Baker
  Art: cougar, dolphin, dove, dragon fly, frog, goose, hawk, killer whale, wolf