Shawna Davis
Shawna is Gitksan and Nisga’a. She is Laxskiik (Eagle Clan) from Wilps Sakum Higookxw of the Gitksan Nation. She has been practicing beadwork for five years and is grateful for the opportunity to learn how to tell stories through this medium. Her work focuses on strong ancestral connections to land, language, and the inherent love that has existed within Indigenous Lifeways since time immemorial. She was born and raised in the Northwest Coast, and currently lives with her family in New Hazelton, British Columbia.
Kids Books (1)
Synopsis:
Shawna Davis invites the reader to explore each of the four seasons through her beautiful words and lush, unforgettable, beaded illustrations.
We begin in Gwooyim (Spring) when the Majagalee, the Sim Algyax word for “flower,” are just beginning to sprout. We then move on to Sint (Summer) when Grandmother Sun stays in the sky a bit longer. Next there is Xwsit (Fall), just as Summer begins to get sleepy, and Maadim (Winter) where the snow has fallen and the freezer is full.
This is a story of nature, its importance to our lives, and why it must be cared for and respected.
Toonasa Jordana Luggi’s lovely, rich, and nearly tactile photographs are the perfect complement to Shawna’s hand-beaded artwork and wonderful, hand-cut paper backgrounds.
Includes Pronunciation Guides.
Reviews
“...simple, evocative poetry is culturally specific, rooted in a deep love of the land and the people around her but it’s also relatable to readers of different backgrounds. The lyrical verse in Majagalee makes it an ideal read-aloud book.... Majagalee is an elevated concept book. It introduces readers to the seasons, the plants and animals of the Northwest Coast, Sim Algyax, Indigenous art, and the importance of all these things to Gitksan culture. Despite its apparent simplicity, Majagalee is a complex and brilliantly constructed book. It will appeal to Indigenous and non-Indigenous readers alike, and for teachers and parents, it serves as an outstanding example of a book that demonstrates the ongoing presence and beauty of Indigenous cultures in what is now known as Canada..” – Quill & Quire, starred review
Educator Information
Juvenile Fiction. This picture book explores the four seasons on the northwest coast of what is currently British Columbia from a Gitksan perspective.
Additional information
Pages: 40
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