Tina Robinson
Łagyigyet
(Tradition)
‘Łagyiget’ started with a dream. She was surrounded by her ancestors speaking in the traditional language of Sm’algyax and Tina innately knew that this is where she belonged. She heard traditional songs being sung in the background. Though she did not speak the language, somehow she understood what they were singing. This dream ignited a fire within to pursue her journey in understanding her traditional and ancestral culture. Her wisdom to listen to her heart and follow the path of the generational dreams of past, present and future, is the force behind her artistic pursuit, fully embracing Union House’s theme ‘of the moment’.
My vision as an artist is to strengthen the art of Chilkat that was established generations before and to share this knowledge with future generations to come, beginning with my own daughter. I am focusing on reviving ancient weaving techniques, constructive elements and complex processes used in Chilkat weaving. Due to the complexity of design and process, strict guidelines must be followed. The process starts with pulling yellow cedar bark and then spinning it strand by strand by hand with wool, which then will get woven into a piece. This practice is taught only to a select few as it is a very sacred art form that belong to the Ts’msyen people of the North Coast.
This photo illustrates the completion of my “Łagyiget’. The process starts by harvesting the yellow cedar bark on traditional Ts’msyen territory. This is done by carefully collecting a small amount off of the tree as to not injure it as it is a living being. It is then processed and meticulously spun with wool to create the warp needed to weave with. Once this is complete, it is then ready to be transformed into a traditional work of art. This piece represents many hours of learning new techniques and methods to create a unique piece that represents who I am as an artist. I wear this piece with pride and honour my teachers and ancestors for entrusting me with this gift of Chilkat.
Artist Biography
Tina Robinson is a Ts’msyen Indigenous artist and mother of three beautiful children. Her crest is a Killerwhale and she belongs to the Gitaxangii’k tribe of Lax Kw’alaams. Tina started her Chilkat weaving journey under the watchful eye of Master weaver William White and continues this journey of strengthening her skills while surrounding herself with knowledge holders and the understanding that she is weaving these complex designs alongside those that have weaved hundreds of years ago.
