Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson

Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson (Haida: Gid7ahl-Gudsllaay Lalaxaaygans) is a Canadian indigenous lawyer, artist, activist and author and a member of the Raven Clan from the Haida Nation. As a lawyer, Williams-Davidson specializes in aboriginal-environmental law, having represented the Haida Nation at all levels of court since 1996 and notably participating in the litigation of the Haida Nation's TFL39 Case to protect the old-growth forests of Haida Gwaii, a case that effectively altered the government's stance on the consultation and accommodation of Aboriginal Rights. Williams-Davidson has also become an important figure in the preservation of Haida culture, using music and literature to revitalize the language and culture of Haida Gwaii. She has released three studio albums of Haida songs: 2008's "Lalaxaaygans: Beautiful Sound", 2011's "New Journeys" and 2017's "Grizzly Bear Town" as well as two books based on supernatural beings from ancient oral Haida narratives: "Magical Beings of Haida Gwaii" and "Out of Concealment". Biography Born and raised in Haida Gwaii, Williams-Davidson was given the name "Lalaxaaygans" Haida for "Beautiful Sound" by her maternal great-grandmother Susan Williams, who was a song custodian. The influence of her great-grandmother became apparent at the age of 6 when she first began singing in public. She began singing in Haida at 13 and soon after co-founded a children's dance group "Skidegate Haida Dancers" in 1978.