So a friend of mine posted these very cool literal translations he learned the other day and I couldn’t help but work them into a poem. “Tlingit meanings my elder friend Marie taught me yesterday (the two words are the same in Tlingit). A language rooted in this place: black=coal blue=bluejay red=fire green=jade orange=alder white=snow” […]

Clarissa Rizal weaving a “Diving Whale Lovebirds” Chilkat robe – May 2013

One morning in early January, I woke up thinking about all the Chilkat weavings I started a year or two (or even three(?) ago:  the Chilkat robe for a couple from Seattle, the leggings for my friend Preston, a handbag for Cherri, the doll started with my daughter Lily, etc.   Incomplete projects tend to nag; they drag down energy . No one likes a nag; and I surely don’t like to be dragged down.  I was once a nag, but learned it didn’t do any good.  Yet did any of these Chilkat weavings learn not to nag to their maker?  No, because it’s not the weavings that are nagging; it’s that other part of me that’s nagging – so really I hadn’t ever given up the art of nagging – what a revelation!  So, that early morning in January, I said to myself:  “…this is my year for Chilkat weaving.  I’m going to complete all that I started…and then some…”  And I am doing so.  I’m quitting the nag business!

Date of Event: Thursday, May 30, 2:45pm -