Descendants of Indigenous ancestry hold responsibility to carry on their lineage and culture with integrity, protecting the knowledge left in their care. This Grandmother, “Protecting the Wealth of our Ancestors Chilkat Wall Mask,” a copper shield of wealth, wears a brilliant blue mask shaped like a clan house, with fiery lightning in her eyes, and the Ravenstail pattern “All Our Ancestors” holding her up. The future generations are continuing her work.

Photographed by Sydney Akagi Photography