“These musicians recorded a Christmas album with a Haida twist”

A new limited-edition Christmas album with an Indigenous twist aims to introduce reconciliation to the holidays. read more→

“Haida Gwaii shapes the innovative sounds of SGaanaGwa at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival”

Artist-activist Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson brings living traditions to the folk, rock, and jazz influences of Chilliwack founders. read more→

Terri-Lynn makes “The Power List”! 50 Canadians who are breaking ground, leading the debate and shaping how we think and live - Maclean's January 18, 2021

“For the purposes of the 2021 Maclean’s Power List (below), we canvassed the landscape for Canadians with qualities we think represent power in a time of transformative change. By dint of their actions, words or character, they force us to watch, listen and learn. They are moving the needle in their chosen fields, and in many cases the wider world. Importantly, they are good-faith actors. History may judge them wrong, but they act in the belief that doing so will result in a better world.” read more→

Terri-Lynn voted one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers of the year - September 2020

Every year Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential determines who is making the greatest impact in the justice system and legal profession in Canada.

A place on the list is clear recognition and affirmation of a candidate’s hard work and dedication to rising above the unique challenges that the industry faces.

This year, Terri-Lynn was voted as one of the most influential in the “Changemaker” category. Congratulations (and thank you!) Terri-Lynn!

To read more about Terri-Lynn’s work as a Changemaker in Canada, read the profile in Canadian Lawyer Magazine. To view the full list of selected lawyers, click here.

 

Voting is now open for Canadian Lawyer's Top 25 Most Influential 2020

Terri-Lynn has been nominated to Canadian Lawyer’s 2020 list of “25 Most Influential Lawyers”. Congratulations!

This list identifies “those having the biggest impact in the justice system and legal profession in Canada” and recognizes and affirms “hard work and dedication to rising above” unique challenges.

The next step is that the public determines the winners. “I’m very grateful for this nomination because my work is driven by both my love of Haida Gwaii, the Haida People, my family and our ancestors, and a vision for a new, brighter future between the Haida Nation, Indigenous Peoples and Canada. If I were to receive this honour, in my mind, it affirms all of that work,” says Terri-Lynn. “Congratulations to fellow nominees, my colleagues Matthew Kirchner and Jessica Clogg; and Indigenous nominees Dianne Corbiere and Merle Alexander for being recognized for their work also.”

Voting is open until Friday June 5th, 2020.

Moment Of Truth with David Moses - Elmnt FM - December 2019

Terri-Lynn speaks about her album, exhibit, Magical Beings and her law work. Interview starts at 26:00.

The Georgia Straight - -“Haida beings come to unguarded new life in Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson's striking work” November 2019

Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson, whose Haida name is Gid7ahl-Gud­sllaay Lalaxaaygans, is a wonder. Artist, writer, activist, environmental lawyer, and knowledge-keeper, she is a powerful force in the preservation of Haida language, laws, and culture. She is also an award-winning musician and cofounder of the Haida Gwaii Singers Society.

Out of Concealment, her solo show at the Bill Reid Gallery, includes a few of Williams-Davidson’s Haida Gwaii–shot music videos, in which she is accompanied by saxophonist Claire Lawrence and guitarist Bill Henderson. Primarily, however, the exhibition consists of some two dozen ink-jet prints and backlit transparencies, conveying the artist’s creative interpretations of female supernatural beings and crest figures of the Haida. Sources include oral histories and origin stories, handed down to Williams-Davidson by her elders and also recorded in early ethnographies. read more→

North by Northwest - Sheryl MacKay - CBC Radio, October 2019

Terri-Lynn talks to Sheryl MacKay about Haida Supernatural Beings. Interview starts at 02:13:00. read more→

First Nations Drum - “Bill Reid Gallery Celebrates Indigenous Feminine Power in Vancouver Premiere of Out of Concealment” October 2019

Out of Concealment foregrounds an Indigenous ethos of environmentalism by honouring the power and sexuality of Indigenous women — inherent values that were disrupted and suppressed by colonization. “Out of Concealment reinterprets ancient knowledge for a contemporary audience, introducing new ways of understanding the environment through timeless Indigenous oral traditions and ethnographic writings about supernatural beings,” says Carter, curator of the Bill Reid Gallery. “Traditional Haida beliefs have a balance of male and female forces and emphasize the interconnectedness of all things. Particularly in light of the recent #MeToo movement and the inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women, this exhibition shares important ancestral wisdoms key to unlocking the violences that have occurred against First Nations peoples.” read more→

Windspeaker.com - “Plastic Woman among supernatural beings brought out of concealment in new exhibit” October 2019

If supernatural beings existed today, Plastic Woman would be one of them.

The figure, consisting entirely of plastics that were found on the southern beaches of a remote part of Haida Gwaii, is included in the contemporary section of the exhibit “Out of Concealment”. It opens at the Bill Reid Gallery in Vancouver on Oct. 23.

“Plastic Woman would be a representation of the extent of plastic we have in today’s society and the impact it’s having on marine life,” said multi-media artist Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson, whose work makes up the exhibit.

The Gaagyals KiiGawaay artist says she was moved to make the sculpture after a trip to the Gwaii Hanaas National Park Reserve where she found the plastics washed up on the beach, some still with their labels identifying them from Asia, British Columbia or other parts of Canada. read more→

The Source - forum of diversity “Out of Concealment – The interconnectedness of femininity, the supernatural, and the environment” October 2019

Haida artist, activist and lawyer Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson manifests an Indigenous ethos of environmentalism while honouring the power of Indigenous femininity in her solo exhibition Out of Concealment on display at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art from Oct. 23, 2019–Apr. 5, 2020.

What began as writing songs about supernatural beings for her 2017 album Grizzly Bear Town metamorphosed into Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson’s quest to depict the supernatural figures that occupied her lyrics. read more→

The Vancouver Sun ' "Historical Northwest Coast works become more than art at Museum of Anthropology" October 2019

In traditional museum exhibitions, historical objects are often put on display and accompanied by pithy curatorial comments that put the works in context. This approach is very much about preserving objects as artifacts in a western-style museum setting.

The basket is made from the roots of a spruce tree and painted with Wasgo (Sea Wolf) imagery. It was originally made in 1890-1920 by a Skidegate Haida artist and painted by John Cross Neeslant. Vancouver

Another, newer approach at institutions such as the Museum of Anthropology is to commission contemporary Northwest Coast indigenous artists to make new work. What this does is bring past traditions and visual ideas into the present to show how indigenous cultures are alive today. read more→

Loose Lips Magazine - “Out of Concealment exhibit highlights feminine power & Haida law” October 2019

Artist Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson is celebrating Indigenous feminine power–specifically that of supernatural beings–in Out of Concealment.

The exhibit, on display at the Bill Reid Gallery now until April 5, 2020, shares the teachings of ancient oral traditions from Williams-Davidson’s home of Haida Gwaii in the form of photo collages that combine contemporary fashion and traditional face painting. read more→

Gonzo Okanagan - "RYGA ARTS FESTIVAL – Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson: A Keeper of Traditions” August 2019

The most anticipated event at this year’s Ryga Arts Festival is the finale concert featuring an extraordinary performance artist, singer, dancer, story-teller, and shape-shifter…

To call Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson multi-faceted would be an understatement. She is, in the words of famed anthropologist Wade Davis, an “artist, activist, award-winning musician and formidable lawyer… She has represented the Haida Nation in the highest courts of Canada, in litigation to protect forests and fisheries, and in one landmark case… to assert aboriginal title to all the islands of Haida Gwaii.”

Her activism manifests itself in her music, for which she has won several Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, including one in 2008 for being A Keeper of Traditions. read more→

The Source - “Ainu and Haida singers share stage and indigenous spirit” March 2019

The Museum of Anthropology in conjunction with the Centre for Japanese Research at UBC will present an evening of unique music by indigenous singers from both Japan and British Columbia on March 14.

The event will showcase traditional music from Hokkaido Ainu singers Mayunkiki and Tomoe Yahata, along with Haida singer Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson and her musicians. Mayunkiki is a member of Marewrew, a female Ainu quartet, as well as an instructor of the Ainu language, while Tomoe works as a curator at an Ainu Museum. Williams-Davidson, born and raised in BC’s Haida Gwaii, is a musician, activist, artist and lawyer. read more→

Vancouver Courier - "Chilliwack's Bill Henderson looks to the past to reconcile the future" April 2018

Bill Henderson, who has fronted Chilliwack since the beginning and is involved in many other music projects, will be joined at the Brackendale Art Gallery May 12 by Claire Lawrence, an original Chilliwack bandmate, and Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson, a Haida musician. Henderson and Lawrence backed Williams-Davidson last year on the album Grizzly Bear Town.

Prior to the album, Henderson worked with Williams-Davidson years ago as sound producer on an album of traditional Haida songs.

“She has been working a whole lot of her life preserving the Haida music heritage,” Henderson said of Williams-Davidson, who is also a lawyer. read more→

Times Colonist - "Haida singer Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson not afraid of heavy lifting" October 2017

Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson can laugh at the memory today, but recording on Anthony Island in Haida Gwaii was no easy feat. read more→

Ladies First - "Step Into The Light With Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson" October 2017

Host Lina explores themes about women found in Terri-Lynn's latest album "Grizzly Bear Town" and the "Out of Concealment" exhibit.  Award winning Ladies First is a weekly live radio show from 5-6 pm on Thursdays that celebrates women in music and the arts. read more→

CBC Radio North by Northwest with Sheryl McKay August 2017

Listen to the full interview below or click the link above.

Listen below for an excerpt of Terri-Lynn and Claire Lawrence speaking with Sheryl McKay about the song "Landslide"

WorldBeatCanada Radio - Interview with Cal Koat - August 2017

Listen to the interview with Terri-Lynn  - excerpt below, or for full episode start at 33:04.

Canadian Beats Magazine: "Five Questions With Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson" August 2017

It’s always a pleasure to chat with someone we have yet to hear about, and this is the case with Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson. She released her third solo album, Grizzly Bear Town on August 11, and you should certainly check it out if you have the chance. While you’re checking it out, also read our Five Questions With segment and find out more about this Haida singer, songwriter, dancer, activist and environmental lawyer. read more →

CBC NEWS: "Haida artist explores the supernatural with new exhibition and album" August 2017

Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson, best known for her work as a musician and environmental lawyer, has now combined visual art, photography and music in her latest album and exhibition about supernatural beings. read more→

Vancouver Sun: Music Review - "Grizzly Bear Town" album  August 2017

"...Throughout the immaculately produced and played album a clear sense of space and time is evoked." read more →

Haida Gwaii Observer: "Masset Magic: Supernatural music at Tluu Xaada Naay" August 2017

It was the perfect night for a concert. The sun was shining in the blue sky (our usual weather, right?), with diamonds glistening on the water of Masset Inlet. The first song was, appropriately enough, “Indigenous Rising,” with an incredible flute accompaniment. With that we knew the evening would be memorable. read more→

PRESS RELEASE: Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson Unveils Stunning “Cutting-Edge Ancient” Third Album "

Toronto, August 8, 2017 — Arriving as Canada’s relationship with its Indigenous peoples is being reviewed and reconciled as never before, Grizzly Bear Town — the enchanting third solo album by Haida singer, songwriter, dancer, activist, and environmental lawyer Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson — is poised to propel the conversation about past and future, history and legacy. read more →

 

"Out of Concealment" Exhibit and Book

EXHIBIT CATALOGUE - "Out of Concealment" June - December 2017

EXHIBIT POSTER - "Out of Concealment" June - December 2017

PRESS RELEASE: "Heritage House Publishing: Out of Concealment: Female Supernatural Beings of Haida Gwaii" July 2017

In Out of Concealment, Haida artist, performer, and activist Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson re-imagines the ancient feminine Supernatural Beings of Haida Gwaii, epic figures in the Haida Nation’s origin stories, which have been passed down for millennia.
Transforming her image into Sguuluu Jaad, Foam Woman; Ts’uu K’waayga, Cedar Sister; Xuuajii Jaad, Grizzly Bear Woman; and many others, Williams-Davidson pays homage to these powerful Beings and brings their spirit into the light for new generations and audiences to enjoy and learn from. read more →

PRESS RELEASE: "Out of Concealment - Haida Female Supernatural Beings" June 2017

June 12, 2017 - On June 16th 2017, the Haida Gwaii Museum will present Haida artist and lawyer Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson’s multi-dimensional storytelling exhibit, bringing to life and out of concealment the feminine and powerful land and seascapes of Haida Gwaii. read more →

GLOBE AND MAIL: "A superhuman landscape", June 2017

Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson inherited an important gift and responsibility from her great-grandmother. Susan Williams was a Haida song custodian who knew more than 100 songs – a tremendous feat considering the devastation brought to the Haida and their language by smallpox and cultural oppression. Born in the village of Skedans and relocated to Skidegate in 1896 (after smallpox, the Haida were concentrated into two communities – Skidegate and Masset), Williams worked to keep the language and music alive as most of the population perished. She lived to be 109. read more →

CBC: "Haida art exhibit imagines ancient female beings in contemporary forms", June 2017

The legend of Foam Woman — a powerful woman and ancestress to all of the Raven clans on the archipelago — is just one of many female supernatural beings featured in a new exhibit at the Haida Gwaii Museum in Skidegate. read more →

Haida Gwaii Observer: "Seeing Supernaturals" June 2017

It started with song.

Accompanied by scores of people sitting, standing, or bending an ear in the open doorways of the Kay Centre Performance House last Friday, Haida singer Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson sang a new song to open her first exhibit of visual art.

Sung in Haida language and in English, the lyrics recalled some of the ruin that colonization brought during the time of her great-grandmother, Susan Williams, who was born at Skedans and moved to Skidegate in 1896. read more →