9. Messenger

Dakelh/ Haisla
Yellow Cedar
5.25” x 6.5” x 2” (1.25” x 6.5” x 1.75” mask size)

I painted a flicker over three years ago while attending my first year at Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art. Since doing it I always wanted to try to make a mask. The colours are as close as I could to the real colours. I added some speckling to emulate the spots it carries on its body. As well, there are the signature red markings it has on its head/neck and tail. I’ve been told many things about these birds from different nations. One is that of the messenger. They will let you know if they got something for you somehow. When my daughter made her way into this world, I made an offering in exchange for a name. I waited not too long when I heard the flicker chirping. The feathers are very sought after in many nations across this continent.