About the Artist

About the Artist

Haida artist aay aay gidins belongs to the Skidegate Gidins Naa ‘Yuuwans Xaaydagaay of HlGaagilda (Skidegate). His chief is SGiidagids WiiGanad. aay aay carries three names: aay aay (Land Owner), sGidgyaagans (House Boy), and k’uuga kiljuu t’aa guudadaal (Walks Lightly with a Big Heart). He comes from a long line of artists, including his old, old nanaay (grandmother), Fanny, who was a weaver; his old nanaay, Kathleen, who split roots; his Nanaay Golie, who learned to weave cedar bark in her 60s; and his mom, Gladys, who was a chef – an artist in her own right.

This August marks aay aay’s 20th year as a Haida weaver. His journey began on August 5, 2005, while he was working as a Haida Gwaii Watchman at Gandll K’in Gwaay.yaay (Hot Springs Island) with his Nanaay Golie. She observed his strong work ethic and offered to teach him to weave cedar bark. aay aay’s first piece was a red cedar bark hat, and from that moment forward, he “just never stopped”. 

In 2008, aay aay expanded his weaving practice to include wool, studying Raven’s Tail under master weaver, Kuujuuhl Evelyn Vanderhoop. In 2012, Kuujuuhl declared aay aay ready to teach the art of Raven’s Tail. He continued his studies with Kuujuuhl, learning Naaxiin (Chilkat) weaving in 2013. In 2024, she declared him ready to teach this fine art as well. In 2023, aay aay began his tutelage in spruce root weaving, studying under Kuujuuhl’s mom and sister, master weavers Ilskyaalas Delores Churchill and Xiihlii Kingang April Churchill, and April’s daughter, Jaad Tl’aaw Paula Varnell. He’s also studied jewellry, carving and flat design with various other artists.

Known for his kindness and generosity of spirit, aay aay is widely recognized for his gifting or donating of weavings and surprise draws, and for his willingness to share his weaving knowledge with others. His commitment to Haida Gwaii, his people, art and culture extends beyond the loom. aay aay is a Nation-based scholar, learning cultural knowledge, language and history from his Nanaay Golie, who was a matriarch, and from his old uncle, Nang King.aay ‘uwans James Young, the last formally trained oral historian on Haida Gwaii. Both were also fluent speakers and teachers of Xaayda kil (the Haida language).

aay aay has also gained scholarship through his choices in careers, working as a Haida Gwaii Watchman (2003-2007); Haida Heritage Centre Cultural Ambassador (2007-2010); mentor and digitizer for Skidegate Haida Immersion Program (2007-2018); and as a cultural guide for Haida House (c. 2012-2019). aay aay’s most recent employment has been with Saahlinda Naay (the Haida Gwaii Museum). He began as an intern, working diligently to ensure the respectful return of Haida Ancestors and Belongings, in late 2020. In early 2025, aay aay became our Research & Repatriation Manager! A cherished member of the team, aay aay brings the same spirit of generosity, kindness, scholarship and attention to detail to the workplace that he does to everything he does in life. Saahlinda Naay is so very honoured to present 20 years of weaving by our beloved aay aay sGidgyaagans k’uuga kiljuu t’aa guudadaal, a being who truly walks lightly with a big heart.

aay aay would like to thank and recognize Haida Gwaii, the Supernatural, the Ancestors, and his teachers, SGaanajaadsk’yaagaxiigangs, Kuujuuhl, Ilskyaalas, Xiihlii Kingang and Jaad Tl’aaw. He would also like to recognize the wool-spinners who provide him miles of thigh-spun warp so he can focus on weaving: Arianne Medley, Sgaas Sgwaansing, Tiffany Edgars-Parnell, Vanessa Bellis, Goldie Swanson and Shaadootla Lyall. He’d also like to recognize his Aunty Gerri Moody, who has sewed the backing for 99% of his pieces.

Photo credit: Taay.yan.nuhl Collison-Robertson