Silver Eagles - Passing on the Tradition
Silver Eagles is a line of North West Coast First Nations jewellery made by Nancy Dawson and Vincent Henson. Nancy is from the Kwaguilth Nation and Vincent is from the Kwa Kwa K'Wak Nation. They live in Victoria, British Columbia. Vincent is Nancy's nephew and she is passing along her knowledge and skill of crafting silver First Nations jewellery.
Nancy Dawson was born in Alert Bay on northern Vancouver Island in September 1954. Her mother, Catherine Beans, was from the Mamaleleqala-awe-qwa-sot-enox nation on Village Island; and her father, Don Gesinghaus, was of German descent. Nancy credits her family for her success as an artist. Her father was a talented wood and metal worker who fashioned intricate wooden railings that both fascinated and inspired Nancy. Her mother raised Nancy in the ‘potlatch circle’ which contributed greatly to Nancy’s sound understanding of her culture. However, it was through Nancy’s efforts to develop her son’s interest and understanding of Kwagiutl art that she became inspired to begin designing. The invitation to reproduce her designs in red and yellow cedar could not, and would not be ignored. Nancy has been carving poles and masks since 1980, being invited to participate in the carving of the word’s largest totem pole which graced the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, BC.
Hummingbird: Love, luck, joyful messenger
Eagle: Power, strength, and the ability to go further
Raven: Creation, prestige, knowledge
Wolf: Family, togetherness, loyalty
Bear: Guardian, protector, elder kinsman
Salmon: Prosperity, provider, and pairs of salmon are good luck