Percy
Percy
2002
About
“I created this dance to honour and remember Percy Gladstone, who was a close family friend during all the years of my growing up. He was Bill Reid’s mother’s brother, giving him a role of responsibility in passing Haida cultural values on to Bill. He expressed often his affection for and pride in Bill.
Percy Gladstone was born in 1911 in Skidegate to Josephine and Charles Gladstone. He was born into, as was Bill, the K’aadaas Gaah Kiiguwaay, Raven Wolf clan of Tanu. Hazel Stevens, then Clan Mother of his clan, gave him the name Illugwaas. When Percy died in 1982, she gave this name to Bill Reid.
Percy flew as a navigator in the Second World War. He was a fisherman, a teacher, and a counsellor. He obtained his MA in Economics from UBC. He authored, and co-authored with Professor Stuart Jamieson, articles on the fishing industry published in scholarly journals. He had a vision for the Haida Nation that was advanced and complete. During his time, he worked to bring his vision to reality, while supporting and encouraging others along this path. He was a navigator in every sense, a visionary and a scholar. He cared deeply for other people.
Although his body was crippled in a car crash in 1951, Percy’s spirit soared. This dance is a tribute to and an expression of enduring love for a dancing spirit, Percy Gladstone.”
- Karen Jamieson
- From The Spirit Concert: A Benefit for the Bill Reid Foundation presented by Vancouver International Airport and Weyerhauser program notes, May 18, 2002
The Spirit Concert was the first major fundraising event for the Bill Reid Foundation, combining the talents of Bruce Cockburn, classical music luminaries, Haida traditional dancers and the Karen Jamieson Dance troupe in an evening to raise environmental awareness and raise funds for a world tour of Bill Reid’s art. At the Chan Centre (at UBC).
THE PEOPLE
Choreography: Karen Jamieson (with creative collaboration from the dancers, including Byron Chief-Moon who, due to an injury, could not perform)
Dancers: Henry Daniel, Olivia Thorvaldson
Composer: Michael O’Neill
Drumming and Singing: Guujaaw (Haida, Gakyaals Kiigawaay of Skedans clan)
Bagpipe and Singing: Danielle Brin
Costume Design: Susan Berganzi
Graphic Design: Clayton Gladstone, Jr. (Haida)
Consultants from Skidegate: Diane Brown, Dempsey Collision, Gladys Gladstone, Melanie Gladstone, Beatrice Harley, Roy Jones Jr., Miles Richardson III, Eleanor Russ, Billy Stevens, and Dolly Wampler
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Attribution Incomplete
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