Saa Taak / Se Tak (2024)

aluminum, powder coating  

Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé in collaboration with Roland Peter, Stan Peters, and Jolenda Benjamin

Special acknowledgement to the late-Patrick Johnny and late-Marilyn John, David Johnny, Duncan’s Ltd., Jasper Pettman, Sid Vander Meer, Jesse and Kristine Lemley, and the Copper Niisüü Limited Partnership

The sun has provided for us since time immemorial and we, as Upper Tanana and Northern Tutchone Peoples have a long history of representing the sun in our art and storytelling. In our languages we say “saa” and “se” to refer to the sun. The sun is an important symbol in our cultures and we have stories of the Sky World, Stars, Moon, and the Sun. Motifs of the sun have been passed down through generations in our clothing, dance regalia, drums, carvings, and beadwork. Elder Roland Peter reflects upon stories of the sun,

“Our dad once told about the sun. He said that if the sun had moved any closer, we would all not be here and if it moved further, we would all freeze. So, the sun never moves one way or the other. He said without the sun we would never be here because the sun is life. It keeps us alive and all things on earth. He also said that the star and sun were the way the peoples of his time would tell what time it was and followed the star and just knew where to go. For if you can't read the stars and sun, you would be lost. This is what I was told by our dad.”

Saa Taak / Se Tak is a powerful representation of our Nation and Territory and acts as a reminder that solar energy is essential to the growth and health of our community.

The larger sun designs are interpretations of ancestral Upper Tanana and Northern Tutchone sun motifs. The smaller motifs were designed by Jolenda Benjamin, Roland Peter, and Stan Peters. All designs were reinterpreted and adapted for metal-cutting.