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Kaa Shaayí

Bridging Traditions: Tlingit Art, Community, Heritage

About

Welcome

Hello, and gunalchéesh for visiting my page! I’m Kaa Shaayí, a Tlingit artist dedicated to exploring and sharing our rich cultural heritage through contemporary art. I’m excited to share my journey with you and give you a glimpse into the world that shapes my work.

Kaa Shaayi, or KaaShaayi, aka Justin holding a Tlingit artifact during visit to Bill Holm Center at the Burke Museum in Seattle Washington.
Kaa Shaayi, or KaaShaayi, aka Justin wearing regalia at Northwest Indian College graduation ceremony

My Journey

I’m Kaa Shaayí, a Tlingit artist who spent my early years in my homeland, Ketchikan, Alaska. My artistic journey is deeply intertwined with my quest to understand and connect with my Tlingit heritage.

I grew up surrounded by Kootéeyaa (totem poles) and Tlingit artwork, but despite this proximity, my connection to Tlingit culture was initially limited. At 14, my family moved to Ferndale, Washington, which further distanced me from my roots.

I’ve been working in graphic design since 2009, which laid the foundation for my artistic career. My exploration of Formline art – the visual language of my Tlingit ancestors – began as part of my journey to reconnect with my heritage. In 2020, during the isolation of the pandemic, I dove deeper into this traditional art form, taking advantage of online platforms to enhance my skills and knowledge.

Eager to deepen my understanding, I enrolled at Northwest Indian College, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Native Studies Leadership. This academic journey has been eye-opening, revealing both the rich cultural heritage of Native peoples and the profound impacts of colonization.Today, my work is a bridge between traditional Tlingit art forms and contemporary expression. I strive to honor our ancestral traditions while addressing modern themes and using current materials. It’s my way of showing that Formline design is a living, evolving art form that remains deeply relevant in today’s world.

My Artistic Voice

My art is a conversation between past and present. Through Formline design, I aim to preserve and evolve Tlingit artistic traditions, making them accessible and meaningful to contemporary audiences. Each piece I create is an opportunity to tell a story, to connect people with Tlingit culture, and to explore themes of identity, community, and cultural continuity.

I believe that art has the power to educate, inspire, and heal. Whether I’m painting a large-scale mural or crafting a small pendant, my goal is always to create work that invites viewers to engage with Tlingit culture and to consider the ongoing dialogue between traditional and modern ways of life.


Tlingit Roots

My connection to Tlingit culture is both a source of inspiration and an ongoing journey of discovery. While I’m Tlingit through my father’s lineage, Tlingit culture is strongly matrilineal. This has led to some unique challenges in establishing my identity as a Tlingit person.

These experiences have given me insight into the struggles many other Tlingit people face who have a patrilineal connection. It’s also inspired me to create my signature “questioning eye” motif, which represents the need to view things from both Indigenous and contemporary perspectives.

Through my art and community involvement, I’m constantly working to deepen my understanding of Tlingit traditions and to find ways to make these traditions relevant and accessible in modern contexts.


Learning and Growth

My artistic journey has been shaped by both formal education and hands-on experiences. In 2024, I graduated with highest honors from Northwest Indian College with a Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies Leadership, emphasizing Northwest Coast Design.

I’ve been fortunate to receive research grants from the Bill Holm Center at the Burke Museum in both 2022 and 2023. These opportunities allowed me to study historical Tlingit objects up close, deepening my understanding of traditional paddle craftsmanship and early Tlingit Formline decorated items.

These experiences have been invaluable in shaping my artistic perspective and techniques. They’ve allowed me to ground my work in historical accuracy while also finding ways to innovate and evolve the art form.


Milestones

Some of the projects and achievements I’m most proud of include:

  • Creating the “Ancestral Spirits” mural in Ferndale, WA, which brought Tlingit art into a public space and sparked conversations about Native presence in the community.
  • Designing the logo for the 2023 Leaders in Native Education Convening, which allowed me to represent three states through Formline elements.
  • Serving on the board of the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum, where I have the opportunity to contribute to the preservation and promotion of Alaska Native art and culture.
  • Receiving research grants from the Bill Holm Center at the Burke Museum in both 2022 and 2023, allowing me to study historical Tlingit objects and deepen my understanding of traditional art forms.
  • Being appointed as Vice-Chair of the Ferndale Arts Commission, where I work to promote public art and cultural initiatives in my local area.

Each of these milestones has been a significant step in my journey, helping me grow as an artist, cultural ambassador, and community leader.


Looking Ahead

As I look to the future, I’m excited about the possibilities to further develop my artistic practice and apply my understanding of Formline design to various mediums. I’m particularly interested in exploring more public art opportunities, as I believe these projects have the power to make Tlingit art more visible and accessible to a wider audience.

I’m also committed to continuing my work in cultural preservation and education, both through my art and my role with the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum. Whether through workshops, community involvement, or my art itself, I want to keep finding ways to share Tlingit artistic traditions with both Native and non-Native individuals.


Beyond the Canvas

When I’m not creating art, I’m actively involved in my community. I serve on the board of the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum, where I advocate for proper representation of Native cultures. I’m also the Vice-Chair of the Ferndale Arts Commission, working to promote public art and cultural initiatives in my local area.

In my downtime, I enjoy exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest, finding inspiration in the natural world that has shaped Tlingit culture for generations.

Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit about me and my work. I hope my art can serve as a bridge, connecting you with the rich, evolving tradition of Tlingit art.


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