Jaalen is a Haida artist from the Ḵayahl ‘Laanas Clan, renowned for his monumental red cedar carvings, design work, and dedication to cultural resurgence. Mentored by master carvers Guujaaw and James Hart, Jaalen developed a deep understanding of Haida formline and traditional carving techniques through work on totem poles, copper shields, and canoes. While his art is held in collections worldwide — including the Field Museum, the Royal BC Museum, and the Pitt Rivers Museum — Jaalen finds the greatest meaning in pieces created for and within his Haida community.
In 2019, Jaalen began a personal journey to deepen his knowledge of Haida canoe building, studying unfinished canoes left in the forest, canoes housed in museums, and the teachings of his father. This led to the carving of his first dugout canoe in 2020. For the Haida Sails Resurgence Project, it is Jaalen’s hand-carved canoe (now owned by Skidegate Band Council) that will carry the woven cedar sail, reconnecting Haida craftsmanship, navigation, and ancestral innovation. Looking ahead, Jaalen plans to carve a second, larger canoe beginning in 2026, continuing his commitment to strengthening the knowledge and traditions of Haida ocean travel.
