"Block Printing is a technique originating in China going back at least two millennia, mainly for printing on textiles and later paper. Lino block printing is a new medium for me. The image on this card was inspired by a limited series of wood screened prints done by my late uncle Lloyd Wadhams Sr. in the late 70’s. I wanted to bring back some of his techniques but in a different way and continue to learn, so the traditional forms and designs of the Kwakwaka’wakw can live on.

Kampdatsa is a small human figure totem pole located in the old burial grounds on the waterfront of Alert Bay, BC. It is said, it was commissioned by Mrs. Tom Patch (Kampdatsa) who was from Village Island or maybe New Vancouver. She was considered a high-ranking woman who lived to be over 100 years old. Many attributed Arthur Shaugnessy as the carver. She refused to pay for it because she said the size of the hat was too small. It was abandoned and left on the beach for many years before someone moved it sometime in the 1950’s and was raised as a memorial pole for her. Arthur Dick Sr. and Henry Speck put a tire around the carved hat to increase its size in accordance with her original wishes. Today the totem is decaying at a fast rate. I want to preserve this story to honour all of the beautiful Matriarchs in our tribes. They are the backbone of our families, histories and ceremonies. Without them we would not have strong and thriving families and communities.

‘Gila’kasla – Thank you”

- Ka'kaSolas, Cheryl Wadhams