Announcements/Events
100th Artwork donated by Norman and Louise Rose
Dean Emeritus Norman Rose and Louise Rose have donated “K’iid Ki’yaas—the Golden Spruce” an original watercolor by artist April White (Haida, Yahgu’jaanaas Raven Clan) to the University of Washington Bothell Library. Dr. and Mrs. Rose commissioned the work from Ms. White, asking that it focus on the story of the golden spruce. The UW Bothell Library’s Rose Collection features Alaskan and Northwest Native art donated by Dr. and Mrs. Rose, who have been collecting art since the early 1990’s.
Dr. and Mrs. Rose presented the piece to UW Libraries Dean Betsy Wilson and UW Bothell Library director Cynthia Fugate at the UW Medicine Wheel Society 14th Annual Native American Elders’ Dinner on January 19, 2008. The Medicine Wheel Society is an “organization that brings together the people, the tradition and customs, and the spirit that enables [our] American Indian/Alaskan Native medical students to maintain their sense of community.”
April White also attended the dinner and spoke about the importance of the golden spruce to the Haida people and of her personal connection to the sacred tree. She offered a retelling of the original story about the tree which she wrote while creating the painting. Ms. White also provided greeting cards with a print of the painting and a copy of the story to all of the guests at the dinner.
More information about the golden spruce can be found in the book, The Golden Spruce: a true story of myth, madness and greed by John Valliant. The title is held by the University Libraries in all three campus collections.
Dr. Terry Maresca, director of the Native American Center of Excellence at the UW School of Medicine acknowledged Dr. and Mrs. Rose’s support of SOM students through the Norman James and Ethel Jenisch Rose Endowed Scholarship Fund which was established in 1994. To mark the occasion Dr. and Mrs. Rose were given a blanket and were recognized with an honor song performed by a Medicine Wheel Society member.
The UW Bothell Library owns 3 other works by April White, also thanks to the generosity of the Roses. The Rose collection is available for viewing whenever the campus library is open. Directions to the UW Bothell Library are available on the campus website. K’iid Ki’yaas—the Golden Spruce will be on display as soon as possible.
