There are 39 Singers featured in the Archival Anthology who are no longer with us.

Singers from Massett (23): Emily Abrahams, Nora Bellis, Dora Brooks, Percy Brown, Susan Brown, Captain Andrew Brown, Florence Davidson, Robert Davidson, Robert Charles Davidson, Louise Dixon, Amanda Edgars, Dorothy Edgars, Margaret Hewer, Chief Willie Mathews, Hannah Parnell, Selina Peratrovich, Helen Sanderson, Tina Sanderson, Ida Smith, Charlie Thompson, Emily Thompson, Joe Weir, Emily White.

Singers from Skidegate (8):  Lenore Heal, Gertrude Kelly, Sarah Pryce, Mary Davidson, Agnes Russ, Henry Young, John Wesley, Susan Williams.

8 Singers from Other Nations: Salish:  Mary Clifton, Mary Moon; Heiltsuk: David Gladstone; Nuu-chah-nulth: Fred Louis; Kwakwaka’wakw:  Tom Willie Johnson, Abia Martin, Mungo Martin, Ella Thompson.

The Haida Gwaii Singers

The Haida Gwaii Singers grew up hearing Haida songs sung by the Holders of Songs in their homes and at informal gatherings. Most of the archival recordings on Songs of Haida Gwaii were made in these relaxed, laughter-filled settings. Despite Canadian government laws outlawing potlatch from 1885 to 1951, the traditional songs and dances always remained part of daily social life.

Today, Haida songs are once again fully interwoven with art, dance, ceremonies, feasts and potlatches, the supernatural beings and the environment. They help us to enter into a spirit state and bring to life ceremonial objects such as masks, rattles, clappers, paddles, drums, and regalia. They nourish the circle of culture, with art animating and inspiring songs and songs animating and inspiring art.

Robert Davidson

Robert Davidson was born in Hydaburg, Alaska and grew up in Massett, Haida Gwaii. Robert began carving at age 13 in 1959 and his art was influenced by his father, Claude Davidson, his grandfather, Robert Davidson Sr., and his great-grandfather, the famed Haida master artist, Charles Edenshaw. In 1966, Robert apprenticed with master artist Bill Reid, learning Haida engraving and design forms. Robert has produced an internationally acclaimed body of work now found in private and public collections around the world and his commitment to excellence and the spirit of Haida art has been recognized in numerous awards and honours. He has openly connected Haida art to ceremony since 1969; he began recording Haida elders in 1969 and started publicly singing Haida Songs in 1977. In 1980, he co-founded the Rainbow Creek Dancers with artist and dancer, Reg Davidson under the guidance of their grandmother, Florence Davidson. Rainbow Creek has been performing regularly at home and abroad ever since.

GUUJAAW

Guujaaw, a descendant of the Gak’yaals Kiigawaay Clan, the Ravens of Skedans, has always enjoyed a close relationship to the elders and spent much time on the land in his youth. He was the first to secure legal “standing” as a hunter and gatherer in Canadian Courts. Guujaaw worked with Bill Reid on several notable pieces, including Skidegate Pole, Raven and the First Men, and the prototype for Luu Taas. Though most of Guujaaw’s work remains on Haida Gwaii, he has totem poles as far afield as Japan and Indonesia. He participates in most of his people’s ceremonies and has travelled the coast to potlatches and events of neighbouring nations, and has circled the globe as a speaker and performer. Guujaaw continues singing, working with the younger dancers, carving and canoe building, making medicine and fighting for the land and cultural well being.

LALAXAAYGANS - Beautiful Sound

Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson

Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson is a unique voice for indigenous cultures. She is a Haida musician, artist, and lawyer, well known for her work in aboriginal-environmental law and as a recognized keeper of traditions. She is the founder of Raven Calling Productions,  an entertainment company that shares and showcases Haida artistic traditions.

Born and raised in Haida Gwaii, Terri-Lynn has dedicated herself to the continuation of Haida culture. The traditional Haida songs her centenarian great-grandmother sang have motivated and been a beacon throughout her life, leading her to help preserve a legacy of Haida music through the Haida Gwaii Singers Society. For her work, which has spanned over 30 years and has helped bring renewal to Haida songs, she received a ‘Keeper of Traditions’ Canadian Aboriginal Music Award in 2008.

Deep on the front lines of Indigenous Rights, her work strives to open new vistas to her audiences rooted in Indigenous world views, Haida language and laws, music and oral traditions, and branches out to explore their relevance to contemporary society.

In 2011 Terri-Lynn released her first solo CD with original compositions – ‘New Journeys’. She was awarded ‘Best Female Artist’ at the 2011 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards for the release which was a collaboration with classical composer Bruce Ruddell. In 2017, she released the CD 'Grizzly Bear Town' with Bill Henderson and Claire Lawrence, a multi-media exhibit and book entitled 'Out of Concealment: Female Supernatural Beings of Haida Gwaii'. Terri-Lynn has also recorded for film and television, and she has performed throughout the world including Indonesia, Italy, Amsterdam and New York.

Terri-Lynn is also a well-known lawyer representing the Haida Nation in the area of aboriginal-environmental law. To find out more about her law work, visit White Raven Law's website.