Giclée print on acid- and lignin-free paper (paper size 17" x 22")

Original painting in acrylic on canvas  26” x 20”  2001

Collection of Carla Holm

In 1972, when our daughter Carla was twelve years old, our good friend, Mrs. Peter Smith (T’suxt”sa’estsamga) advised us that we should “bring out” Carla in a ceremony called A’exantsila, also known as K’idiÅalaÅ (Princess Dance).  Another close friend, Mrs. James Knox (Åalandzawik) then told us that she wished to transfer to Carla a privilege that had come to her from her aunt Hayamsandalaokwa, the Princess Platform, with two carved men to hold it up.

In August, we held a potlatch in our Bighouse on Lopez Island.  A large group of Kwakwaka’wakw people came down from Northern Vancouver Island to help us with the proceedings.  When the time came for the ceremony, the K’ididzu (Princess Platform) was set in place close to the singers at the back of the house, in front of the painted screen.  Carla was seated on the platform, her spruce root hat, red yarn ear pendants, and button blanket decorated with abalone shell plaques. She wore a dance apron embroidered with an image of the SisiuÅ and hung with puffin bills.  Under the platform were two broken coppers, emblematic of her new name.

James Walla (Na’namokwidalas), the Speaker, prompted by Åalandzawik, then told the history of the privilege and the reasons for which it was being transferred to Carla.  Her new name, Lalxsandalaokwa, was announced, and five noble women, led by Åalandzawik and including Agnes Cranmer (Gwantilakw) and Emma Hunt (Maxwalagwa), danced.  The song, which was part of the privilege being transferred, was led by Chief Jonathan Hunt.