Tleḥpik Hjalmer Wenstob

t'uḥc'it'i, łapḥsp'at'u, and nač'a

• acrylic
• wooden skate deck
  

Tleḥpik Hjalmer Wenstob | Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation

Traditionally, tattooing was practiced on the West Coast, but when the potlatch ban came into effect, it was outlawed. As both an act of resistance and adaptation to the times, our artists began carving/engraving silver bracelets. Many times, these bracelets would be stacked up the arm and wrist, and designs engraved across multiple bracelets. When the Indian Agents or RCMP officers arrived to enforce the potlatch ban, our people were able to remove the bracelets to hide traditional designs and crests. Once removed and separated, the bracelets became abstract bands of design. That history inspired these skateboard decks with the shape of the deck mimicking that of a blank bracelet. The decks together create one cohesive design, but separated create unique, semi-abstract designs. The painting on the deck is in relation to our whaling history and represents a thunderbird. The decks in order from top to bottom are titled: t'uḥc'it'i, łapḥsp'at'u, and nač'a. These three decks are sold together as one piece.