Through her art, music and practice, Terri-Lynn has contributed to efforts to preserve the Haida language for decades.

“As a Haida musician, artist, dancer, legal scholar, lawyer and activist, contributing to the preservation of the Haida culture, language and laws is my life’s work.

I have sang in the Haida language since 1979, my albums (2008, 2011, 2017) are in the Haida language, following traditional Haida musical traditions. Through learning and working to preserve the Haida language, I seek to expand my artistic practice into not only wider vocal ranges, but also different vocal techniques.

I have worked with the Elders of the Skidegate Haida Immersion Program for many years, for the translation of Haida songs for my albums and performances, and for published works such as “Out of Concealment”, the “Chief Skidegate Speech” and the children’s book, “Magical Beings of Haida Gwaii”. I have also worked with these Elders through my academic and legal work for the Haida Nation work as legal counsel for the Haida Nation, overseeing the translation of oral histories for Aboriginal Title litigation, and supporting the publication of Haida language dictionaries.

I have also co-founded the Haida Gwaii Singers Society with five other veteran Haida singers including artist Robert Davidson. As executive producer, fundraiser, project coordinator, writer and researcher for the project I was instrumental in producing the publication of archival and new recordings of over our nation’s musical traditions of over 450 traditional Haida songs.”

— Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson