Salmon Steward is the official publication of the Pacific Salmon Foundation in British Columbia, Canada
Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/496204
18 2015 psf.ca f or 25 years the Pacific Salmon Foundation has held an annual art competition to choose the winning image to be displayed on the Salmon Conservation Stamp — the key word being "conservation." For the Haida Nation, the notion of conservation is woven into our relationship with the source of our sustenance. My painting, "Salmon Tale," rendered in my red and black ancestral colours, is inspired by the story of Raven, which illustrates how the salmon should be respected. In the story, Raven captures the son of the salmon chief to present to the daughter of the village chief. Raven advises the Shaman, "Many salmon will try to rescue this young salmon. You must weave a huge net to catch all the fish." Which they did, but out of respect spared many. These fish swam off to continue their futile search of the forest streams. While searching and grieving, they spawned in the shallows beneath the sheltering arms of a cedar tree. The salmon persist in their search year after year, and the people are thankful for their return. But the underlying message is of the importance of conservation. If they only catch what they need to feed the village then the rest are left to ensure the cycle of life continues. It's a powerful message about respecting Mother Earth and all beings. It's a fitting subject for this conservation- inspired stamp — created through a partnership with the Pacific Salmon Foundation and the federal government as a way to connect anglers to the support of salmon restoration and enhancement. Learning about and gaining appreciation for the natural world has been a recurring theme through all aspects of my life: be it cultural, professional or educational. Born on Haida Gwaii, and a member of the Yahgu'jaanaas Raven Clan, it is from this heritage that I draw inspiration when interpreting the natural and mythological world through my art. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from UBC and working as a field geologist, I became a full- time artist. My artistic abilities were honed by immersing myself in the environment, translating three-dimensional visions into two dimensions via mapmaking, and rendering the natural world. This was my fifth entry in the annual art contest: during a moment of exhaustion at the end of the summer bed & breakfast/studio-gallery season, I briefly entertained the thought of not entering the contest again. But I had resolved to continue entering until First Nations art was featured on the Salmon Conservation Stamp. The First Nations of the Pacific coast are very much "salmon people" — for sustenance, as well as spiritually and culturally. As a food fisher and a Haida — for whom salmon have been, from time immemorial, integral — I am very proud to be that first First Nations artist to have her work grace this important symbol of salmon conservation. Signed prints of "Salmon Tale" will also be available for purchase in June at psf.ca/support/order-prints. f i r S t n a t i o n S The FIrST CulTure oF CoNServATIoN April White and Brian Riddell with her winning image at the 2014 annual Salmon Conservation Stamp Art Competition. WHO Cares About Salmon? SomBilon PhotogrAPhy text salmOn to to make a $10 tax-deductible donation Take Action Now for Pacific Salmon April White Sgaana Jaad - Killer Whale Woman aWard-Winning haida artist based in poWell riVer