In The Power of Water, the killer whale is a very popular creature found on paddles, drums, panels and totems. For many of the artists featured in this exhibition, they have deep personal connections to the killer whale. It is a family crest for some, giving weight to its use in their work. For others, the orca is a symbol that represents hunting prowess which is often painted on the sides of canoes to aid in fishing. The orca for another is used because of the role it played in teaching his ancestors how to fish for salmon. Both symbolically and physically, whales are a significant creature to many tribes of the Pacific Northwest Coast and find their home easily within the context of The Power of Water.

Outside of the deep personal and traditional connections, whales are a wonderful reminder to not take things for granted. These large majestic creatures are becoming more and more at risk of extinction across the globe. In honoring their role in our ecosystems and bringing awareness of how to protect their habitats here in the PNW, we can start creating a better future where both humans and whales can thrive.

The Orca/Killer Whale

Matriarch - Mother and Calf Killer Whales

Raven Skyriver (Tlingit) & Preston Singletary (Tlingit)
Freehand Sculpted and Sandblasted Glass, Metal Stand

22”h x 28”w x 12”d
$36,000

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Whales are an essential piece of any discussion about the waters of the Pacific Coast and its relationship to humans. Within many Northwest Coast tribes, the orca, killer whale, or blackfish is a particularly important animal. The orca often symbolizes things such as romance because they mate for life and family as they are well known for their large familial pods that travel together. In some myths, the orca is even a close relative of humans so is treated with the utmost respect.

The tale begins with a young warrior Natsilané who is destined to become chief due to his skills, intelligence and pleasant demeanor. His brothers are extremely jealous of this, and plot to depose him. The brothers take Natsilané fishing way out to sea and push him overboard.

As Natsilané is drowning, he is found and rescued by Sea Otter who promises to look after Natsilané and shows him the best hunting and fishing grounds. Sea Otter gives him a pouch of seeds and instructs Natsilané to sow them. Natsilané does so, and over the years the seeds grow into many trees, all of which are now native in the Pacific Northwest. Natsilané uses wood from the trees to carve tools and a boat.

In appreciation of Sea Otter, Natsilané uses a large yellow cedar tree to carve a huge fish and leaves it on the shore for Sea Otter to find. The next morning, Natsilané goes down to the shore, but the carving is gone. Instead, in the bay is Blackfish, the first Killer Whale. Natsilané travels back to his home, guided by Blackfish. When he arrives, he finds his squabbling brothers out fishing. He orders Blackfish to drown his brothers. When it returns, Natsilané orders that from this day forward it must never harm a human again and that it must help any lost person at sea. Natsilané returns to his village and becomes Chief.

Kéet

Preston Singletary (Tlingit)
Limited Edition Lead Crystal

20”h x 5”w x 7”d
$18,000

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Natsilané Yadí, Kéet S?é - Child of Natsilané, the First Killerwhale

Dave Ketah (Tlingit)
Alder, Copper, Horse Hair, Opercula, Abalone, Acrylic paint

14.5”h x 9”w x 8.5”d
$4,500

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