How are Traditional teachings passed on?

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Our traditional Gitxsan teachings are passed on from our ancestors the people of The Sky Clan who through their wisdom, time and patience have held on to and passed on traditional knowledge through stories, songs and dances. These teachings have  been passed down through the generations since time immemorial, through our oral traditions (Adawaks), so that we would use them wisely and share them with our people, and yours. To read our traditional stories our former chief Ken Harris co-wrote a book called "The Visitors Who Never Left: The Origin of the People of Damelahamid "  from stories told to him by his mother Irene Harris who put them all on reel to reel tape to be transcribed.

The teachings I will be sharing belong to The House of Haxbegwootxw of The Fireweed Clan, and are the inspiration for many of my designs. It is what we learn from these lessons that teaches us wisdom, builds our character and teaches us the true meaning of caring for one another.  As we are a matriarchical society our lineage and traditional teachings are passed down to our young people  from our maternal grandmother, aunties and uncles. I would like to thank my grandmother Lily Jackson for her undying devotion in continuing to teach us the oral traditions that were passed on to her. My aunties: Kathy Novack, Barb Frymire and Marlene Clifton and my uncles Robert Jackson, Vince Jackson, Arnold  Jackson, Aubrey Jackson and Jason Jackson for continung the legacy of patience and understanding.

A special thanks to my uncle Vince Jackson who is the holder of the title Haxbegwootxw  our chief who has given me permission to share this knowledge with you.

I hope you enjoy this learning journey,

Sugiit Lukxs

Animal Symbolism

Northwest Coast Animal Symbolism

Northwest Coast Native Art often examines the relationship and connection between humans and animals. In many of our Adawaks (Oral History) animals are given human characteristics. Our cultural mythology is represented by these  crest figures and individual nations align themselves with specific crest figures. During traditional potlatches these crests and ancestral beings are honoured through the retelling of stories, and the performance of songs, dances. They are further represented on traditional button blankets and regalia, as well as, on other potlatch items: coppers, bowls, spoons, baskets, hats and other various items.

Here are some of the crests used by many Northwest Coast First Nations and what they symbolize.

  • BEAVER: Creative, Artistic, Flexible, Industrious and Determine

  • BEAR: Strength, Learned Humility, Motherhood, Teaching

  • BUTTERFLY: Metamorphosis, Balance, and Grace – A messenger to our people

  • EAGLE: Great Strength, Leadership and Prestige

  • FROG: Spring & New Life – Cleansing, Peace, Rebirth, Communicator, Stability

  • HERON: Abundance, Patience, Graceful and Easy Going

  • HUMMINGBIRD: Love, Beauty, Intelligence, Spirit Messenger

  • KILLER WHALE: Kindness, Intelligence, Compassion, Traveler & Guardian of the Sea.

  • MOON: Protector and Guardian of the Earth by Night

  • OTTER: Trusting, Inquisitive and Bright – Loyal Friendship

  • OWL: Wisdom, Foresight, Keeper of Sacred Knowledge- Keeper of the Night

  • RAVEN: Life, Creativity, Humour, Trickster, Creation & Knowledge – Bringer of the Light

  • SALMON: Instinct, Determination, Persistence, Abundance, Dependability and Renewal – A Provider

  • SEAL: Bright, Inquisitive, Organized- Bringer of Wealth and Prosperity

  • SISUITL: Magical Power, Guardian, Protector – Bringer of Great Wealth

  • SUN: Healing Energy, Guardian of the Earth by Day

  • THUNDERBIRD: Powerful, Supernatural & Mystical – A Leader Carrying out Law & Protocol

  • WOLF: Intelligence, Perseverance, Intuition, Success & Leadership – Strong Sense of Family

Feature Blanket
"Grandfather Sun”

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This feature blanket "Grandfather Sun" was my first attempt at making a button blanket. At this point I did not know how to create a design.  I asked my uncle Gitxsan Artist Robert Jackson if I could use his sun design for my blanket, as I had had a dream about a woman riding on the back of a killer whale and the sun was shining down on her and smiling. My uncle told me the story about "Grandfather Sun" who watched over his people and then told me the story of the kidnapping of Gooch-nach-nes-emgit’s wife by Goe-smess-nech the White Killer Whale. Which was the inspiration for my next feature blanket.

• Date: October 2001.

• Medium: Ultra-suede, conch shell buttons, on Melton cloth.

• Dimensions: 58” inches long by 45” wide.

• Blanket Design: Sun design by Robert Jackson.

• Blanket: Made and owned by Yolonda Skelton.

• Crest: Sun

• Story Origins:

• It is Grandfather Sun who is our father in Heaven. We are all Children of the Sun.