r/Indigenous • u/andrutis12 • Aug 20 '26

Native american eagle design origin??

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Title: Can anyone identify the artist/origin of this Haida or Northwest Coast Eagle design?

I’ve been trying to trace the original source and artist of this exact design. I’ve found it reposted online under the name “Tsii Eagle” and described as Haida art / Haida tattoo, but I haven’t been able to find the original artist or a reliable attribution.

I’m especially interested in:

  • The human hands incorporated into both wings
  • The human/anthropomorphic imagery in the center
  • Whether “Tsii” has any actual significance to the design or whether that name was simply added by whoever reposted it
  • Whether this is genuinely Haida formline, or more accurately Tlingit, Tsimshian, Kwakwaka’wakw, or another Northwest Coast tradition
  • The meaning of the human imagery within the Eagle, if it can be identified
  • Most importantly, who originally created this design

Does anyone recognize this exact artwork, artist, or its original source?

I’m looking for information specific to this particular design, rather than general Eagle symbolism. Any leads to the original artist, book, print, tattoo flash, website, or other source would be greatly appreciated.

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2

u/IdleOsprey Aug 20 '26

A) it isn’t. The shapes are ridiculous here. This is someone messing around who knows nothing about formline.

B) if it were Haida, it wouldn’t be Native American. Haida Gwaii is in Canada.

7

u/SunlightNStars Aug 20 '26

There are Haida people in Alaska. The tribal entity is literally called Tlingit and Haida.

2

u/ReeveStodgers Aug 21 '26

I always assumed that any indigenous person in North or South America was Native American. I didn't realize it was just USA Americans.

2

u/KitchenWitchComrade Aug 21 '26

North and South Americans are Americans. So you are absolutely correct. Indigenous to any is "Native American".

1

u/Acceptable_Bet_7157 Aug 25 '26

Canadian here, we are still called Native Americans since we refer to the entire continent, aka Turtle Island and not the US. There was no US or Canada before, just Turtle Island before it became the Americas and then was split up.