Shawn Edenshaw
CULTURAL GROUP:
Haida/Gitxsan
BORN:
November 16, 1982
BIRTHPLACE:
Vancouver, BC
Shawn Edenshaw is the son of Jim Edenshaw and Janet Tait. He comes from the Haida Nation and Gitxsan Nation, respectively. His early influences include his father Jim Edenshaw as well as his father’s friends, including Garner Moody, Nelson Cross, Bill Reid, and Jim McGuire. Shawn started his carving when he turned 12 years old. At about the same time, he was introduced to acclaimed Haida artist Robert Davidson and Robert's Rainbow Creek Dance Group. It was with Robert that Shawn first learned about the traditional songs, dances, and protocol involved in using the songs. With the Rainbow Creek Dance Group, Shawn was given the opportunity to travel and experience different cultures while sharing his with others. In 2013, Shawn secured a job as one of the jewellery teachers at Vancouver's Native Education College for their Jewellery Arts Program. In 2019, he was featured in the landmark publication Understanding Northwest Coast Indigenous Jewelry by author Alex Dawkins.
