Sharing Haida Sk’ad’a Knowledge

The first book in the Sk’ad’a Stories Series, Jigging for Halibut with Tsinii by Sara Florence Davidson and Robert Davidson and illustrated by Janine Gibbons is a beautiful story of an imagined day out on the ocean with a grandfather and grandson.

Inspired by her father, Robert Davidson Jr’s recollections of his father Robert Davidson Sr, Sara Florence Davidson creates a story of the traditional ways of catching halibut in the Pacific Ocean. When the weather is just right, Tsinii (pronounced chin-ee) announces that he and his grandson will go jigging in the morning. They set out in a rowboat, rowing together to the ideal spot to catch dinner. They spend a beautiful day out on the water, Tsinii imparting important knowledge to his grandson in few words, both observing the sea and the sky. To learn more about Tsinii, the inspiration behind this story check out Robert Davidson Jr’s work at https://www.robertdavidson.ca/

The lyrical way Sara Florence Davidson shares the day with readers is captivating. The descriptions providing richness for the imagination. I could almost smell the salty air as I was reading and longed to be out on the water in a rowboat just like I was as a child on the lake. The traditional knowledge and feelings she evokes are nostalgic but also very current as many Indigenous practices are being revived at this time. Sharing the principles of the Haida Sk’ad’a, the creators are inviting readers to learn about traditional ways and showing them the importance of hands on learning.

The art by Janine Gibbons is beautiful and bold and evokes the land, water and language of Haida Gwaii. Her designs make Jigging for Halibut with Tsinii a perfect book to share with a group of children. The illustrations and broad brushstrokes are beautiful both up close as well as from a far. The art invites all readers to join Tsinii and Robert Jr for the day on the ocean.