Description

“Tatlan Tu” means deep water in my Tahltan native language. I belong to the “chi’yone” (wolf) clan. Killerwhales are thought to be the wolves of the sea and I am drawn to representing them in my artwork. The whales in “Deep Water” are respectful and protective of the necessity of the remaining culture of this previously inhabited coastline village. This piece means a great deal to me, because it’s an expression of acknowledgement and gratitude for indigenous culture that was covered over and taken away from one’s like my papoose grandmother “kintsa”, who in their youth, were taken from their families and raised in Indian residential schools. They had their heritage slandered and reduced to faded memories. After all of that, our native culture is reviving, and I am happy to be contributing in this way to keeping this part of my heritage alive and growing forward.