• Materials: Silver 925 / Sterling Silver
• Totem Symbols: Salmon
• Artists: Valerie Malesku
• Styles: Canadian First Nations
• Categories: Pendants

Salmon

The symbol of immortality and wealth, dependability and renewal. The Salmon is the life source, and is always treated with high regard and respect. Many First Nations cultures tell of the Salmon people living in the ocean, who offer their bodies as food to the human world and once their flesh is used they return home to put on new flesh and begin the cycle once again. Their stories teach to honour and respect what is given and to never be too greedy.

Valerie Malesku

Valerie is a multi-talented artist of Cree and Romanian ancestry, who was born in 1953, raised in B.C. and settled on the Haida Gwaii Islands in the early 1970's. In Haida Gwaii she discovered her talent for pencil sketching and silver carving. She began working with silver and gold in 1981 and has perfected her skills, learning side-by-side with some of the finest contemporary artists, including Bill Reid who became her Mentor. Val excels at bringing life to classical and contemporary Cree and West Coast designs. Her work includes pencil drawings of Haida totem poles (which have won four art awards), paintings and carvings in gold, silver and wood.