Jada Davis

Jada Creations

Jaimie Davis is a Gitx̱san & Nisga'a artist, cedar weaver, jewelry designer, sculptor and painter. Her Gitx̱san name is Xbiyee which translates to, "Infront of the village walking, cawing like the crow" and belongs to the Laxskiik (eagle) clan, house of Sakhum Hiigookh.

Jaimie began as a cedar weaver in 2003 learning under Haida weaver Victoria Moody before launching her business in cedar woven jewelry design in 2013. She was the Artist in Residence at the Anhluut’ukwsim Laxmihl Angwinga’asanskwhl Nisga’a (Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Provinical Park, Visitor Info Center) during the summers of 2014 and 2015 as a cedar weaver and jewelry designer and then later went on to attend the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast art, Coast Mountain College in 2016.

Jaimie graduated the 3 year Advanced Diploma program, learning traditional wood sculpture and design under the instruction of Dean Heron and master carvers Dempsey Bob, Ken McNeil and Stan Bevan while also taking business courses in her 3rd year as well as jewelry engraving under Arlene Ness. She graduated in 2019 with honours at the top of her class and was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for outstanding achievement in her art and business studies.

Who are we?

I am just one indigenous woman who grew up on a small reserve trying to share a piece of my culture with the world through wearable art. Art is the language of our ancestors and it always tells a story. It is my mission to share that story with you and with everyone who wears my jewelry or buys my art.

The original jewelry designs are made up of cedar bark which is all harvested by myself, locally and sustainably on my traditional laxyip (territory). Whenever you wear a piece of this jewelry you are carrying with you the energy of the cedar tree that has been transformed into a wearable art piece. Cedar is a healing medicine and is one of the four sacred medicines (along with sage, sweetgrass, and tobacco).

Cedar rope is often used in my designs as well, and with every other art piece, it serves a purpose and tells a story. You can take one strand of bark and it is weak and easily broken but weave multiple strands together it becomes strong and unbreakable. This is how I hope for us to be as a Clan, Community, Nation, Country, as a People! We need to unite to protect our lands and resources just as our ancestors have before us. We are the original custodians of Mother Earth and if we can return to the land, we can help restore the balance. United we are stronger!

Who the brand is for?

Jada Creations is for everyone who supports indigenous culture. We need to be more conscious as consumers which means being consciously aware of our purchases and where they come from. A good tip to know is to always check the "About" section on a website. If there is no clear affiliation with any First Nations then it is most likely a rip-off website.

When you do this you are helping the fight against cultural appropriation. One of my role models from Eighth Generation, Louie Gong, said it best, "Support Inspired Natives, not Native-inspired."

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