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Slatechuck Mountain

Slatechuck Mountain is highly important in the culture of the Haida people as a source of a unique form of argillite used in Haida art. Known also as black slate, this form of argilite occurs nowhere else in the world and only the the Haida have the right ot quarry it. The argillite occurs only at certain locations on the mountain slopes above the basin of Slatechuck creek. The name Slatechuck is a local Chinook Jargon usage, combining slate with the word for water river or lake, and is a reference to the creek being where the slate is found.

Haida Gwaii

Is the home of the Haida People which has been referred to as the Queen Charlottes Island or the Charlottes, is an archipelago on the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada. It is populated mostly by the Haidas.
Haida Gwaii consists of two main islands, Graham island in the north and Moresby island in the south.

Black Slate

Is a dense black shale or slate. Argillite used by the Haidas is special in its formation and only found on Tllgaduu (Slatechuck) creek near Skidegate.
The difference from other slate is that Tllgaduu argillite has the ability to be worked and carved with ease. Access to this site is strictly controlled by the Haida Nation. This artwork has been of high quality and prized around the world since the Haidas first began carving it around the 1800's, a tradition which continues today.

Accent Design

Abalone

Is a Sea Snail which is found off the coast of British Columbia.
The abalone shape is similar ot that of our ear. The inside is lined with mother of pearl, which produces a shinny, many coloured shell. when polished, is highly attractive. Which is then cut, trimmed and used as accent pieces in their carvings

Mother of Pearl

is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some molluses as an inner shell layer. It is also what makes up the outer coating of pearls. It is strong, resilient and iridescent, Perfect for an accent found on many pieces of art.

Bone Inlay

The use of bone inlay is very common in the Haida arts. The bone inlay is usually of whale bone that has been polished and fitted onto the argillite carving.

Red Argillite

Also called red pipestone is a fine-grained sedimentary rock composed of indurated clay particles. Argillaceous rocks are basicaly lithified muds and oozes. The red argillite is also found on Haida Gwaii and it's seen on the carvings.