The People’s Spirits Rise With It - serigraph
edition of 14
image size 10.5” x 15”

 In 1984 my father Hyacinth “Joe” David carved the Cedar Man in protest of the proposed logging of the old growth gardens on Wanachis-Hilthoois (Meares Island). He was carved by a team of friends and then brought to the beach where our nation was hosting a band meeting to discuss our nation’s position. Everyone was called out to pull the man to it’s feet and he became the centre point to the Nuu-chah-nulth people’s protection of Wanachis-Hilthoois (Meares Island) and the establishment of the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Park.

The Cedar Man was designed in reference to an ancestor pole that once stood in our village of Paneelth. The original figure was raised in response to the arrival of outsiders. One arm was raised in welcome and one was held back in caution for a prophecy of what they would bring with them. I was once taught that when a totem is raised, the people’s spirits rise with it.