The first house in the world was built by Beaver. Beaver is well known for his industriousness and building skills. He is a common inhabitant of the Northwest Coast region and often appears in Northwest Coast mythology. Beaver is a crest of the Eagle Clan.

Eagle is one of the two principle clans of the Tlingit and Haida. Eagles are symbols of power, authority and prestige among many nations of the world as well as for the people of the Northwest coast. Eagle is most often referred to as a matriarch or a patriarch in legends and represented a kindly, honest figure. Eagles represent fairness, authority and power. The down of Eagle is a symbol of peace and friendship.

One Bear for each ear, just like the twin Bear Cubs in the Bear Mother myth, where the princess marries a young man who was really a bear in human form. She bore two children who were half human and half bear.

This Raven dances with his Chilkat Blanket proclaiming his Raven Clan. His highly valued powers of organization helped him to create every needful thing, and some that were not! Earrings were hand-cast by Janet Walker using the Lost Wax Process.

This design represents the little green tree frogs that live near Janet Walker’s studio. They are called “Wookus” by local Lummi Native People. Northwest Coast Indians believe Frog to be a powerful spirit messenger. An ancient story describes five young men on a fishing expedition. They put in to an island to spend the night and found frogs jumping about their camp. Full of mischief they threw a frog into the fire and laughed as it popped. Quite taken with the fun sound of the experience they repeated it until the ground began to shake and then a mountain erupted. A huge Volcano Woman came out of the forest toward them crying “What have you done to my children?” As her tears hit the earth they magically turned into Frogs. The men ran to their canoe to get away but she had already placed a curse on them. They would all die before they could get home to their village, except one, who would only live long enough to tell the story.

This handsome Chief of the Sea leaps and plays as he astonishes all with his power and perception. These hand-cast Sterling Silver Orca Earrings are created through the Lost Wax Process and though more time consuming than stamping an image, results in a deeper dimension.

Tshimshian legend tells of five different villages of Salmon people. This corresponds with the five different varieties of Salmon. The villages were spread around the edge of the ocean. In the early spring, one village at a time, the people would transform into Salmon. They would then swim across the ocean and up the rivers to spawn. The bones of the first Salmon caught every year by native people are either burned, as on the far Northwest Coast, or buried so that the Salmon Spirit will return. Salmon bones are believed to find their way back to the villages of the Salmon People where the first Salmon will become whole again. The renewal ceremony would be celebrated each year in a never-ending life cycle. This assures a plentiful supply of Salmon for the future. Salmon Spirit symbolizes fertility, immortality and wealth.

Janet Walker’s hand-cast Sterling Silver Whale Earrings are created through an ancient casting method, now called the Lost Wax Process. This extremely skillful hunter dances to catch the light and shine beautifully.

Little birds and little animals are often referred to as “Spirit Helpers” by Northwest Coastal Natives. They bring messages from the spirit world into the physical world. They exist to help solve problems and act as guides to individuals on a quest. A symbol of good luck and good weather, the Hummingbird Spirit is implored to insure a safe and successful hunt for healthy game.

Wolf is one of the most respected family crests of the Northwest Coast Makah People. He is usually depicted with a curly tail and long teeth. Because of Wolf’s great hunting skill, he is the special spirit power implored to accompany the successful hunt. The wolf is the land manifestation of the Killer Whale. A West Coast legend tells of a supernatural white wolf transforming into a Killer Whale. This is the legendary origin of the white markings on the Orca and their traveling together in packs. The Kwak’wak’awak revere Wolf as first among all the animals. Wolf was the first to initiate young humans into the winter dance ceremony. There are many stories of Wolf’s friendliness and faithfulness to man. As a guardian spirit, Wolf bestows happiness, helpfulness, long memory and successful hunting.