ON HOLD: Raven & Sky People by David A. Boxley, Alaskan Tsimshian

ON HOLD

Raven & Sky People 
by David A. Boxley, Alaskan Tsimshian
silkscreen print, edition of 99
18" high x 35" wide, paper size

Legend of Raven and Sky People

Once the earth had no daylight. Raven had put fish in the rivers, and fruit trees on the land, but he was saddened by the darkness. The Sun, the Stars and the Moon at that time were kept in bentwood boxes by a chief in the sky. The Raven came to a hole in the sky and went through. He came to a spring where the chief's daughter would fetch water. He changed himself into a cedar sprig and floated on the water. When the girl drank from spring she swallowed the sprig without noticing and became pregnant. 

A boy child was born which was really Raven. Though this was a strange happening, the chief fell in love with his grandson. The toddler begged to play with each of the Chief's bentwood boxes that contained the light. Raven child was allowed to play with the stars, the moon, and the sun, but when the chief turned his back, Raven released them into the sky through the smoke hole of the chief's longhouse. The last to be released was the sun, and Raven decided to carry the sun into the sky himself. Raven accomplished his goal of giving daylight to the world.

David Albert Boxley (b. 1952) is a Tsimshian carver from Metlakatla, Alaska. Boxley has received three important Sm’algyax names in his lifetime. Names are either passed through family lines, or to mark important life passages or accomplishments. It is the responsibility of each person to live a good life and to make the name honorable and strong, so that when it is time to pass the name on, the name is good. David takes pride for each of his names and works everyday to make his names good.

Nuketsismaask means"Works with the Cedar Bark", given to him in 1987 by his Grandfather

Ksgooga Yaawk means "First to Potlatch", given to him in 1982 by Alfred Eaton

Niis Bupts'aan means"Grandfather of Totem Poles, Given to him in 2019 by Laxskiig (The Eagle Clan) 

Boxley’s inspiration comes from his ancestors of the Tsimshian Tribe from Northern British Columbia and Southeast Alaska. He has dedicated over 40 years of his life to the revitalization and rebirth of Tsimshian arts and culture. He not only wants to be the best artist he can be, but he wants to inspire and influence the continuation of this beautiful art form and cultural practices.

Boxley has been deeply involved in the rebirth of Tsimshian culture through organizing and hosting Potlatches in Alaska and Washington. He has been responsible for the first Seattle Northwest Coast Potlatch in one hundred years. This historic event was held in 1996. It was such a success that another was held in 1997. He was also responsible for reintroducing the potlatch back to his home village of Metlakatla, Alaska. These Potlatches involved traditional cultural activities such as clan adoption, name giving, gift giving, ceremonial regalia dedication, and memorials as well as song and dance.

Boxley has been directly involved in the formation of four successful dance groups: one in his home village of Metlakatla, Alaska, and others in Seattle, Washington. He led the Tsimshian Haayuuk for 6 years, and now has a new group called the Git-Hoan (people of the Salmon). He has written over 40 songs in his Native language, and carved many masks, rattles, paddles and other performance items.

"Artists from long ago inspire new generations to carry on the traditions of which they began. I am determined and dedicated to revitalize and carry on the rich culture of my tribe: I want my sons and other young native people to be proud of their heritage.”

Boxley’s work can be found in important private and public collections including The Portland Art Museum, The Seattle Art Museum, Museum of Civilization, Ottowa, Peabody Essex Museum at Harvard, The Museum of Natural History, New York, and the Smithsonian Institute’s Museum of the American Indian, Washington DC.