ARTIST'S STATEMENT
This paddle depicts Thunderbird on a paddle. The paddle symbolizes a traditional mode of transportation. In values and world view, the paddle is in cultural contrast to the steering wHEELS used by contemporary Canadians for transportation. Thunderbird, as one of the culture heros of the Cowichan people, is the embodiment of awe and respect for nature. As with other First Nations of the Northwest Coast, the blinking of Thunderbird's eyes causes lightning, while the clapping of his wings cause thunder. Thunderbird is the embodiment of awe and respect for nature. Thunderbird should not be exploited. Nature is not treacherous. Only in an exploitive world-view would Thunderbird's name be exploited for commercial ends.
i am
cost sale-ish
i drive
a ford fascist
in this contemporary
capitalist consumer culture
in which we live
our native names
are exploited
by neo-colonial corpoRATIONS
jack daniels drinks jack daniels
crazy horse drinks crazy horse
thunderbird drinks thunderbird
--lessLIE
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