Free presentation through art & music of the ancient feminine in Haida oral traditions with Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson
Date/Time: Feb 21 2018, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Vancouver, Banyen Books & SoundCost: Free
Haida artist, performer, and activist Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson will present her new book, Out of Concealment: Female Supernatural Beings of Haida Gwaii (Heritage House Publishing Co Ltd, 2017). Featuring striking images and narratives, the book re-imagines dozens of ancient feminine Supernatural Beings and crest figures from the origin stories of the Haida Nation. These historical narratives, passed down for millennia, illustrate Haida values, customs, laws, and relationships with the earthly and metaphysical realms. Transforming her image into SGuuluu Jaad, Foam Woman; Ts'uu K'waayGa, Cedar Sister; Xuu.ajii Jaad, Grizzly Bear Woman; and many others, Williams-Davidson pays homage to these powerful Beings and brings their spirit into the light for new generations and audiences to enjoy and learn from.
Terri-Lynn will also discuss her new album, Grizzly Bear Town, released in August 2017 with guitarist Bill Henderson and saxophonist Claire Lawrence. The songs on the album honour female Supernatural Beings and crest figures and are sung entirely or in-part in the endangered Haida language.
Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson is a musician, artist, and lawyer who has dedicated her life to the continuation of Haida culture. Born and raised in Haida Gwaii off the west coast of Canada, Terri-Lynn has been a promoter of Haida music since the age of 13, when she was drawn to the songs her centenarian great-grandmother sang. For her work, which has spanned almost 40 years and has helped bring renewal to Haida songs, she received a ‘Keeper of Traditions’ Canadian Aboriginal Music Award in 2008.
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