• Artist:
• William Wasden Jr.

• Edition Size:
• 100 signed and numbered, 10 artist's proofs, 2 printer's proofs (each design)

• Paper Size:
• 38 x 28 cm, 15 x 11 inches

• Image Size:
• 29 x 19 cm, 11.5 x 7.5 inches

• Publication Year:
• 2014

Mama’k̓wa “Dragonfly” is associated with warriors and is the guardian spirit for certain warriors. During warrior dances, warrior’s bodies are pierced and hung up in the roof beams to appease the Warrior Spirit Winalaga̱lis. When the dancers blood is shed, spiritual balance is restored for the people. Depending on the color of the guardian spirit, a warrior dancer could have small blue and black paddle-like ornaments that are sewn to their regalia symbolizing the wings of their powerful insect guardian spirit.

K̓adalat̓si “Ant” is a special insect that is connected to ghosts and their realm in the underground. These small creatures are able to tunnel into the earth and are messengers for the Chief of the Ghosts. Ants are seen as the keepers of ancient knowledge and teach us about loyalty and working together in unity. The color green is a color that symbolizes growth and wealth that comes from under the sea.

Ha̱msa̱lał “Hornet” are respected as spirit protectors for warriors. If a warrior’s spirit is this bright insect, the paddles on their regalia will be a bright yellow mixed with black. The name Ha̱msa̱lał refers to the humming sound that these insects make. This sound is associated with the presence of spiritual power from Winalaga̱lis. The Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw have an instrument that is a small wooden paddle in the shape of the hornet’s wing attached to a long rope that is spun over the head to imitate this powerful humming sound, indicating the spirit of warriors is near.

Dłisdła̱n “Mosquito” is associated with the Man-Eater Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’. In the ancient legend of the A̱wik̓inux̱w “Rivers Inlet Tribe”, their ancestor Na̱nwaḵawe’ “Wise One” after killing the dreaded Man-Eater, took his ashes and his family and blew it into the four directions saying, “Now you will be the biting insects of the world, you will crave human blood and remind us of the power of Baxwbakwalanuksiwe’.” The color red in the design represents the mosquito’s craving for human blood, and also represents the color of “life” among the Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw.

- William Wasden Jr.

These four serigraphs are from an edition of two (2) printer's proofs. The regular editions consist of 100 signed and numbered prints.

These limited edition silk screen prints by William Wasden Jr. were hand produced by the screen printing process. They are the only limited edition printings of these designs. The artist has inspected and signed each copy in the editions. All trial copies of this edition have been destroyed and the printing stencils obliterated.

Published by Cedar Hill Long House Native Art Prints.