Waadaana sdluu ‘Aatlan uu iijang (Here & Now)
Virtual presentation by Kihlyahda Christian White
Date & Time
Thursday, February 5, 2026
7 p.m.
This event is in the past.
Tickets
FREE and open to the public;
Registration required
Registration coming soon.
Location
VIRTUAL EVENT
Join us from your home!
Haida artist Kihl’Yahdas Christian White will share his presentation Waadaana sdluu ‘Aatlan uu iijang (Here & Now) on Haida history and his career as an artist. A descendant of Master Carver Charles Edenshaw, Kihl’Yahdas will share his personal artistic journey, the journey of his apprentices in the past, and the importance of creating the next generation of Haida artists.
This event is made possible with support from the Friends of Native Art and the Bill Holm Center.
About the Artist
Born in 1962 in the Haida Gwaii archipelago on Canada’s west coast, Kihl’Yahdas carries forward a lineage of Haida artistry and leadership. A descendant of Master Carver Charles Edenshaw, he grew up learning from his grandfather Geoffrey White, a boat builder, and from his father Morris White, Chief Iidansuu of the Eagle Clan of Kiusta. His mother, Dian (Morris’ wife), preserved horticultural, medicinal, and culinary knowledge.
Immersed in this cultural foundation, Kihl’Yahdas learned through observation, practice, and family teachings. At thirteen, under his father’s mentorship, he began carving argillite, developing the ambidextrous technique and dedication that enabled him to become a self-supporting artist by seventeen.
His work reflects deep respect for ancestral knowledge, combining inlays and diverse materials across forms ranging from monumental totem poles and ocean-going canoes to carvings in metal and stone. Committed to supporting others, he continues to mentor emerging artists.
At twenty-two, his recognition led the University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology to acquire his Raven Dancer sculpture for its permanent collection. Through his Art Apprenticeship Program, the Tluu Xaada Naay Society, and the Canoe Peoples’ House Longhouse Cultural Centre, his shadow influences many around the globe.
