Haida

Reg Davidson, a well-known Haida artist, carved a canoe at the Headlands Centre for the Arts in Sausalito, California in 1988. In this short video, Reg tells us how he made the Yalth Tluu (Raven Canoe), his inspiration for the design, and how this canoe documents part of Reg’s family history. See additional videos related to Haida canoe making in the Evidence section.

Related Evidence

  • Reg Davidson Steaming for the First Time
  • Reg Davidson Learning from Museums and Photographs

Quick Facts

Did you know that in the 1980s, Haida artists used reverse engineering to create canoes?  They studied old canoes, drew detailed diagrams of these ocean-going vessels, and then used this knowledge to create new canoes. See the photograph of Haida artist Charles Edenshaw’s model canoe in the Objects section, or come visit it in person at MOA!