Weaving Our World

About the Book

“Xaygwaay”, (Weaving our World,)” There are important ways of life information involved in weaving that are being lost. Acknowledging the work our ancestors left us, to practice weaving and harvesting our resources with respect and mindfulness of ourselves so that, the legacy can continue. The following describes how our communities take care of each other during our happy and sad times. Tlingit, Haida and Tsimpsians believe it is important to hold up our father’s people to keep balance. The celebrations of life and death have sustained our cultures since time immemorial. This adds the ‘spirit’ to our art forms. Our people believe there is a spirit in all things. The practice of form line, the spirit dimension of trees, fish, birds, human beings, mountains, and glaciers are precious Atoow’ (icons of our spirit world) of the people of this land.that our weaving, carving, drawing, sewing, beading…etc., tell stories of our families. Haa’waa! Gunal’cheesh! Thank you to my family, and Alaska Native Fund for helping me complete my book financially and with encouragement.

About the Author

Haida Formal Introduction Stalth kaa wáas hin uu xat kilhl díi kya’áang. Stalth kaa waa is my Haida name. Della Cheney hin uu yaats’xaatáay kihl díi ky’áang. Della Cheney is my English name. Gaats’aak’áas gúust uu díi kwaláagan. I am of the Eagle family. Tíits git anei Janáa suu díi iijang. I am a Hummingbird woman. Stalth kaa wáas hin uu díi Naan kyáagan. Stalth kaa waas was my grandmother. Guskin hinuu díi chiin kyáagan. Guskin was my grandfather. Neun kwii gei git kíi aa neuns uu díi aaw kyáagan. Neun kwii gei git kii aa neauns was my Mother. Kaa naa heig hin uu díi xaat kyáagan. Kaa naa heigh was my father’s name. Hal Hlaagadáagan. He was Tlingit.   Tlingit Introduction Kaats saa waa yoo xaat duwasskw’ Kaats saa waa is my Tlingit name. Yeil naax xat sati. I am of the Raven family. Kaach.adi aya xaat. My family are of the Fresh Water Marked Salmon Tsaqueid.i yadi aya xaat. Child of a Killerwhale Keex Kwaan aya xat. Kake, AK is my home.