In our traditions each family member was born with a Life Crest, animal usually. Our royal families came from the four main animal crests, some people have heard of them as totems, mostly from Hollywood. Our totems on the northwest coast are made of mostly red cedar, preferably old growth logs.(more than 300 years old)

Seeing as most of our clients are not our family or tribal members I have consulted with my chief and elders for permission and advice on sharing our traditional designs with people of all nations. With their consent I have taught thousands of people about how they can adopt a Life Crest of their choice with a cultural and spiritual blessing.

It will be mainly a favorite animal of any kind, and sometimes one extra second favorite. Choices are sometimes made because of an animal that was a given sign or experience.

Mainly I encourage that my clients understand the importance of the spiritual connection they will be making, through the native tradition and their own love commitment. Both love and the love of nature create a balance in seeing through the instinctual eyes of nature, wild and free of free will, and love which to be `true love` must be always unselfish and unconditional. Only animals can teach us best, especially dogs.

Your Life Crest wearable art, Love Rings or Story Bracelet, will be your physical and visual connection to your Love Mate. The traditions of respecting your Life Crest were evident in how the art forms were applied to everything the Tsimshian people owned, from wooden boxes to houses and even jewelry. It told their story and identified them in their family and tribal affiliation.