Davidson, Florence Edenshaw, 1896-1993

Florence Edenshaw Davidson grew up in the Haida village of Masset, Queen Charlotte Islands. She is the daughter of Haida elders and artists Charles and Isabella Edenshaw, who gave her the First Nations name Jadalq'egenga (“Story Maid”). Davidson is known for her cedar and spruce-wood basketry and button-blankets, which she began to make as a child. At the age of 14, the artist was wed to Robert Davidson (1880-1969) in an arranged marriage that had been ordained by her family. After giving birth to 13 children (some sources say 19), Davidson put aside her artwork to focus on her family. In 1951, the artist lost her home and all her possessions in a fire. In 1952, she returned to creating traditional Haida button blankets and baskets. Davidson imparted her great knowledge of fabrics and wood to a younger generation of artists, inspiring them to pursue these Native American art forms. One of her former apprentices is contemporary Haida artist Dorothy Grant.