Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson facts for kids
Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson is a Canadian lawyer, artist, and author. She is a member of the Raven Clan from the Haida Nation, an Indigenous group. Her Haida name is Gid7ahl-Gudsllaay Lalaxaaygans.
As a lawyer, Terri-Lynn works on cases about Indigenous rights and the environment. Since 1996, she has represented the Haida Nation in courts. She helped with a famous case called the TFL39 Case. This case helped protect the old-growth forests of Haida Gwaii. It also changed how the government talks with Indigenous groups about their rights.
Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson is also important for keeping Haida culture alive. She uses music and books to help bring back the Haida language and traditions. She has released three music albums with Haida songs. She has also written two books about magical beings from old Haida stories.
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Early Life and Education
Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson was born and grew up in Haida Gwaii. Her great-grandmother, Susan Williams, was a "song custodian," meaning she kept many traditional songs. Susan gave Terri-Lynn the name "Lalaxaaygans," which means "Beautiful Sound" in Haida.
Terri-Lynn started singing in public when she was only 6 years old. At 13, she began singing in the Haida language. In 1978, she helped start a children's dance group called "Skidegate Haida Dancers."
She first studied computer science and earned a degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1990. While studying law, she worked at the Haida Gwaii Museum in 1993. There, she studied and organized southern Haida songs. The next year, she received another Haida name, "Gid7ahl-Gudsllaay," which was also her great-grandmother's name.
Terri-Lynn finished her law degree at UBC in 1995. The next year, she became a lawyer in British Columbia. She also started EAGLE, a charity that gives free legal help to protect land. In 1996, she married Robert Davidson, a famous Haida artist.
Protecting Rights and Nature
Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson has represented the Haida Nation in court since 1995. She played a key role in the TFL39 Case. This case is very important for how governments must consult with Indigenous groups about using natural resources. She also helped the Haida Nation win agreements with British Columbia and Canada about their land rights.
She was part of the Haida Nation's legal team that fought against the Enbridge Pipeline project. This project would have built a pipeline through their territory.
From 2014 to 2015, Terri-Lynn represented the Haida Nation in a case against the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. She challenged their decision to open a commercial herring fishery in Haida Gwaii waters. The court agreed with her case and stopped the commercial fishing. This was a big win for using Indigenous rights to protect the environment.
Terri-Lynn has written many articles about Indigenous law. She also gives talks around the world. Besides founding EAGLE, she has been an advisor for environmental programs. She has also been a board member for groups like Ecotrust Canada.
In 2012, Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson was featured on the cover of "The Advocate." This is a special honor for lawyers in British Columbia. She is one of only three Indigenous lawyers to have been on the cover. In 2014, she won the Andrew Thompson award for her work in environmental and Indigenous law.
Art and Haida Culture
Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson has always been involved in Haida song and dance. In 1996, she joined the Rainbow Creek Dancers. This Haida dance group performs traditional songs and dances around the world. Since 2000, she has been part of the Haida Gwaii Singers society. This group teaches people about the rich musical traditions of the Haida.
In 2009, the group released a 7-CD set called "Songs of Haida Gwaii Archival Anthology." This set included recordings of Haida songs from the early 1900s. Terri-Lynn helped with this project as a producer, researcher, writer, and fundraiser. This huge effort saved over 450 Haida songs. She won a "Keeper of Traditions" award for her work on this project.
Solo Music Albums
Terri-Lynn released her first solo album, "Lalaxaaygans: Beautiful Sound," in 2008. It was part of a collection of new recordings of old Haida songs. The album won her the "Best Female Traditional/Cultural Roots" award in 2009.
In 2011, she released her second album, "New Journeys." This album mixed Haida music with modern instruments like guitars and piano. Haida music is usually sung without instruments. The songs were mostly new but sung in Haida. Many followed traditional Haida song structures, often using only three notes. The album was very popular and won several awards.
Her third album, "Grizzly Bear Town," came out in 2017. It featured musicians like Bill Henderson and Claire Lawrence. The album continued to blend the Haida language with modern music. "Grizzly Bear Town" is another name for Skedans. This is the village where her great-grandmother, Susan Williams, was born.
Books and Other Art
In 2017, Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson wrote "Out of Concealment." This book has unique photo collages that celebrate the female supernatural beings from Haida oral traditions.
In 2019, she wrote a children's book with her stepdaughter, Sara Florence Davidson. It is called "Magical Beings of Haida Gwaii." The book introduces ten supernatural beings from old Haida stories. It uses pictures to teach children about living in balance with nature.
Terri-Lynn also created the Haida Box of Knowledge. This is a set of 34 cards featuring female supernatural beings from Haida Gwaii. The cards also have art by Robert Davidson. They share the wisdom and stories connected to each of these female figures.
