Raven's Nest Regalia and Arts
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When Ravenstail and Chilkat weaving nearly disappeared, a small handful of dedicated weavers set out to teach the twining and hand spinning of these artforms. While there are still too few today who know the designs and the stories depicted in our woven ceremonial robes, those involved in Raven’s Nest Regalia and Art are one small part of the movement to revive and strengthen our weaving traditions and our Indigenous knowledge embedded within the fibers.
Raven’s Nest Regalia and Arts creates regalia and gift items as well as larger story-telling robes to not only strengthen our connection to our culture, but also to bring the knowledge of weaving to the people. The regalia and art will help to fund on-site community-based classes so that the art of weaving can be learned in rural Alaskan communities, and help to breathe life into our Tlingit way of life.
Debra Dzijúksuk O’Gara
My Tlingit name is Dzijúksuk, my English name is Debra O’Gara. I am Tlingit, Yupik, Irish and a Raven Frog from the Teeyhittaan Clan, currently living in Petersburg, Alaska. I’ve learned to weave the art of my ancestors: spruce root and cedar bark basketry, as well as Ravenstail and Chilkat. Through this gift, I have found sobriety and an ever-growing circle of strong women and other two-spirit weavers. We share stories, lessons, mistakes and victories. We connect with each other and reconnect with our ancestors. I want to spread this joy, connection and knowledge in as many ways and to as many people as I can. Raven’s Nest Regalia and Arts is my way to do this.
I have been weaving since 2008 learning basket weaving from Delores Churchill and Janice Criswell; Ravenstail from Kay Parker and Clarissa Rizal; and Chilkat from Clarissa Rizal and Lily Hope. I hope to help mentor and teach others these artforms to help continue our strong links to storytelling, traditional knowledge, and ceremonial connection.
All of this, of course, is done under the supervision of Mr. Mister, the weaving cat. Keep a look out for him, he is often seen in the background of pictures keeping a keen eye out on our work.