Ghost Salmon Earrings

by Copper Canoe Woman

This design was made to pay homage to the sacrifice of the 'Salmon People and their return.’

Material: Acrylic, abalone inlay, and gold-plated brass

Dimensions: 4 x 1.5 in.

Vina Brown (she/her) is an artist based on the Lummi Island Reservation in WA (unceded territory of multiple indigenous groups) and proudly represents the Haíłzaqv and Nuučaanuł heritage. Her name loosely translates to “Copper Canoe Woman” and is the namesake of her collective—a jewelry company established with a deep connection to her ancestral roots and driven by the desire to craft exquisite adornments that narrate her unique story.  She first learned to bead, weave, and sew from her aunties and grandmothers and spent a lot of time immersed in the renaissance of the culture and art of her ancestors, specifically the painting and carving of Northwest coast formline. Making art is part of her cultural continuation, and Copper Canoe Woman is a vital component in this practice.