Indigenous art by Mathew Baker (Coast Salish). 1 1/2" wide, 7 1/2" long, man's size, sterling silver with 14kt gold eyes. This bracelet is available as a custom order. It can be made in any dimensions requested.
There are five varieties of salmon in Pacific Northwest - Chinook, sometimes called spring because they’re the first run to return, Sockeye, Coho, Pink, and Chum. They live a 4 year cycle - they're born, then swim out into the ocean to live their lives, after 4 years they swim up coastal rivers and streams to return to birthplaces, there they reproduce then die. The salmon illustrate the cycle of life - birth, reproduction, death, rebirth. Salmon are a primary source of life providing the gift of nourishment. In the past salmon runs were so large that people say you could walk across streams and rivers on top of the fish.
The first salmon ceremony is performed at the beginning of the fishing season. Songs and protocols are performed to welcome the returning salmon. Thanks are giving to the salmon for sacrificing themselves. The first salmon meal is shared by the community. The bones are given back to the river to insure the salmon’s return.
Salmon are beings that are highly respected and treated with care. Children are not allowed to play on the spawning grounds. There are stories of times that people went hungry because salmon didn’t return. Those times were caused by disrespectful human actions.
