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CEDAR PEOPLE
My Uncle John told me this story... A long time ago there were three giant beings. They lived harmoniously with the people of the land. One day the giants mistreated the humans. Their height gave them monstrous advantages. The weaker humans were treated poorly. The Creator saw the giants needed to be taught a lesson. As punishment they were turned into three giant Cedar trees. Forever they must stand and provide for the humans they oppressed.
This image in my mind, was one of our people. For Cedar is our magic, our technology. Our canoes, longhouses, summer dwellings, bowls, handles, clothes, and our fires, all depended on the great Cedar tree. It is our Protector. The word, Cedar, in our language, means precious. I come from Tsartlip, the home of cedar rope.
At the time this print was completed my eldest brother and I were working together. I had a real sense of the bond people share when they're united.
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