Todd Baker

" SALMON PEOPLE "
42" x 14" x 4" Cold Cast Bronze LIMITED to 8 signed and numbered
$3500

Legend has the "Salmon" as the transportation device for the human sole to the heavens. In this rendition of the salmon, the sole is depicted by the resting body of a human (the same position of Jesus in the arms of Mary in Michelangelo's sculpture "Pieta") wearing a traditional native death mask for dancing.

" RAVEN RELEASING THE SUN "

225 s/n Serigraph 20" x 25" $149
printed on 245 gsm Stonehenge white 100% cotton

How Raven Brought Light To The World

A Haida Legend

According to a Haida story, in the beginning the world was in total darkness.

The Raven, who had existed from the beginning of time, was tired of groping about and bumping into things in the dark.Eventually the Raven came upon the home of an old man who lived alone with his daughter. Through his slyness, the Raven learned that the old man had a great treasure. This was all the light in the universe, contained in a tiny box concealed within many boxes. At once the Raven vowed to steal the light.He thought and thought, and finally came up with a plan. He waited until the old man's daughter came to the river to gather water. Then the Raven changed himself into a single hemlock needle and dropped himself into the river, just as the girl was dipping her water-basket into the river.As she drank from the basket, she swallowed the needle. It slipped and slithered down into her warm belly, where the Raven transformed himself again, this time into a tiny human. After sleeping and growing there for a very long time, at last the Raven emerged into the world once more, this time as a human infant.Even though he had a rather strange appearance, the Raven's grandfather loved him. But the old man threatened dire punishment if he ever touched the precious treasure box. Nonetheless the Ravenchild begged and begged to be allowed to hold the light just for a moment.In time the old man yielded, and lifted from the box a warm and glowing sphere, which he threw to his grandson.As the light was moving toward him, the human child transformed into a gigantic black shadowy bird-form, wings spread ready for flight, and beak open in anticipation. As the beautiful ball of light reached him, the Raven captured it in his beak!Moving his powerful wings, he burst through the smoke-hole in the roof of the house, and escaped into the darkness with his stolen treasure.

And that is how light came into the universe.

" EAGLE "

300 s/n Serigraph 18" x 24" $149
printed on 245 gsm Stonehenge white 100% cotton

Eagle is respected for its intelligence and power, as well as its extraordinary vision, in both the literal and figurative senses.Eagle clan families are traditionally the most prominent, and Eagle chiefs the most powerful. Eagles in myth are, likewise, usually noble characters. Eagle spirits are associated with lofty ideals and the pursuit of freedom.Eagle is revered as a powerful hunter. Groups of mythical Eagles may gather for co-operative whale hunting expeditions, since, unlike the giant Thunderbird, Eagle is not strong enough to hunt whales alone. Eagle may often be depicted with Salmon, one of its favorite foods. Eagle feathers and down are sacred: traditionally, shamans believed in their healing powers and used them in a variety of ceremonial and ritual contexts, such as honoring a respected guest.In some Haida myths and legends, Eagle and Raven are close companions and serve as alter egos to one another They are two halves of the great whole, often divided and often united. They are technically equals.In this design of the Eagle his beautiful, high-ranking legendary wife and the two children Eagle bore with her are incorporated in his wings.

" SPEAKERS STAFF 1 "

200 s/n Serigraph 4" x 26" $106
printed on 245 gsm Stonehenge white 100% cotton

" SPEAKERS STAFF 2 "

200 s/n Serigraph 4" x 26" $106
printed on 245 gsm Stonehenge white 100% cotton

The Talking stick was held by the speaker, who stood beside the chief at ceremonies and announced the chiefs wishes. The talking stick was the property of the chief and was intricately carved with his crests and family stories much like a miniature totem pole. Today, at gatherings it is the turn of whoever is holding the talking stick to speak.

In this graphic representation of a talking stick there is as follows, Wearing a tall hat of wealth with its potlatch rings, is a long billed Raven. Under the Raven is Ttsaamuus, the Snag, in his Sea Grizzly form. From the Snag’s mouth a third figure, the Raven once again in fledgling form, has just emerged.

The Raven and the Snag on the speakers staff, are all crests of the Raven Families This combination of figures, raven and snag, is most frequent of all themes in Haida sculpture: a theme as ubiquitous as the adoration or tor the crucifixion in European art, and no less potent once its signification is known.

When the figures the Raven and the Snag are togther on a pole, they are often elaborated with other intriguing details. First, the young Raven is often shown emerging from the Snags mouth and resting on his belly. This is the sculptural equivalent of the statement that the Snag’s voice and the Ravens voice are the same. This is the graphic answer to the myth tellers statement Dii hau dang iiji: “I am you”. Second the Raven above the Snag is often equipped with fingers or hands, as a sign of transition between human and avian forms.

Raven above, Snag Below - was the most common motif on haida house poles of both the raven and eagle clans. It is not impossible that in some earlier age it was the only motif on house poles because vertically assembled, these figures evoke an original house poles: the stone pole of the Snag, which stood on the floor of the ocean before the creation of the Haida Gwaii.

In this graphic representation of a speakers staff, is the creation of the world told by the haida gwaii elders.

"Good Medicine" is the 6th in a series of limited edition prints produced by the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation to honor the game of lacrosse and one of its greatest coaches and builders - the late Jim Bishop. The original artwork for this piece, as well as future originals, will be presented each year as the "Jim Bishop Memorial Award" to the Minto Cup (National Junior 'A' Championship) athlete who best exemplifies leadership, skill, sportsmanship, and the spirit of the game.

This Print was created by Todd Jason Baker, a Bear clan Squamish native of the Coast Salish. Baker's work has been sought by private collectors, museums and many institutions. His work has been shown throughout the World.

The Humans with Raven helmets allow the player to take on the trickster like qualities of the raven, giving them all the talents for a good game, the circular shape with colored rings represents the circle of life.

Jim Bishop is considered the greatest coach in the history of Canadian Lacrosse. His career spanned 58 years and touched the game at every level and age group as a coach, organizer, manager and promoter. He respected the First Nation peoples for sharing the game with all North Americans. His many accomplishments include winning seven consecutive Minto Cups and initiating efforts at establishing early pro Lacrosse leagues in 1968 and again in 1974-75. "Bish" touched the lives of thousands of young Canadian athletes in a positive manner.

The Foundation's goal is to create a strong future for the game during this time of government cutbacks. In purchasing this print - the first in a series - you are investing in the future of lacrosse. The Foundation will pursue worthwhile projects that would otherwise not be addressed. These projects will help grow the game we love so much.

200 s/n Serigraph (paper size) 18" x 22" $125
printed on 245 gsm Stonehenge white 100% cotton

The legend of the Killer Whale is a tale of Natcitlaneh who was abandoned on an island by his brothers-in-law who were jealous of his prowess as a hunter. He was rescued by the Sea Lions and taken to their village in a cave where he healed their Chief. In gratitude, the Sea Lions gave him supernatural powers which enabled him to carve eight wooden Killer Whales. These Whales came to life when they were placed in the sea and avenged him by killing his brothers-in-law.

As a mark of respect, Natcitlaneh built a house and named it Killer Whale House. According to the legend, the ancestors visited the house located at the bottom of the ocean to obtain rights to use the Killer Whale as a crest.Held in great awe for its power and size, it was believed a Killer Whale could capture a canoe and take it underwater to transform the occupants into Whales. Thus a Whale near the shore was a human transformed and trying to communicate with his family.

The Whale is a popular symbol for romance as they mate for life. The Whale, like the Wolf, stays with its family and travel in large pods.