Carving Argillite

SARA FLORENCE DAVIDSON and ROBERT DAVIDSON | Haida

JANINE GIBBONS | Haida

  • English, Haida

  • Haida culture and family, carving, intergenerational learning, Indigenous worldview, Robert Davidson

  • Kindergarten +

Based on Haida artist Robert Davidson's own childhood experiences, this beautiful story highlights learning through observation, as well as the role of Elders in sharing knowledge and mentorship.

Learning to carve is a lifelong journey. With the help of his father and grandfather, a boy on Haida Gwaii practises to become a skillful carver. As he carefully works on a new piece, he remembers a trip to Slatechuck Mountain to gather the argillite, as well as his father’s words about the importance of looking back to help us find our way.