House of Culture
Mike Dangeli
“Goothl Ts’imilx”
1607 East Hastings Street Vancouver, BC - Canada V5L 1S7
Phone: 1.604.251.4844 ext: 352 fax: 1.604.251.1986
Home: 1.604.851.9413 Cell: 1.604.836.9412
E-mail: dangeli_northwind@yahoo.com
Mike is of the Nisga’a, Tlingit, and Tsimshian Nations. His Traditional name is:
“Goothl Ts’imilx” which means: “The Heart of the Beaver Lodge”. He belongs to the Beaver / Eagle Clan. The Nisga’a originates from the Nass River Valley area of British Columbia, and is approximately 500 miles north from Vancouver, BC Canada.
Mike began learning his people’s ways at an early age by attending with his mother “Mak hli t’aa” Arlene Roberts, traditional feasts, ceremonies and gathering and preparing traditional foods and performing in his family’s dance group.
He studied North West Coast Art while still attending high school in Metlakatla, Alaska. Always striving to understand & appreciate his people’s rich art form. He then majored in History at the University of Alaska. In 1994 Mike apprenticed with his Uncle - Master Carver: Randy Adams in Prince Rupert, BC. There he learned 2 - dimensional plaque and panel carving, mask making and design.
Mike wanted to continue his education in Aboriginal history, he moved to Seattle, Washington, where he joined the Tsimshian Haayuuk Dancers, lead by renowned Alaskan Tsimshian Artist & Carver: David Boxely. Mike began a yearlong apprenticeship in 1998 with Mr. Boxely. Mike learned design & carving, and as well, preparing for numerous shows and exhibits. Which included three Totem Poles.
Mike regularly returns home to Gingolx where he has always studied oral history and protocol from his Mother Arlene and Grandmother: “Baaskw” - Louise Barton-Dangeli. Mike has recently relocated to Vancouver, BC where he is the Cultural Director at the House of Culture, a program that he created and implemented in the year 2000. The House of Culture takes a holistic approach in teaching Art & Culture to children, youth, adults and Elders. The House of Culture offers classes, workshops and seminars to new, emerging, and Artist in general.
Mike is also an Accomplished Dancer & Singer. He has been studying Traditional Dance since the age of 5. Having had the Honor of dancing with the Juneau Tsimshian Nisga’a Dancers, The Prince Rupert Nisga’a Dancers, The Tsimshian Haayuuk Dancers, The Git Hoan Dancers, and The Rainbow Creek Dancers. He also co-directed: The Lax Kaien Tsimshian Dancers.
He has performed in: Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, British Columbia, Ontario, Austria, Malaysia, and Germany. Where he had also demonstrated his Artwork. Currently, Mike leads his own group: The Git Hayetsk Dancers, located in Vancouver, BC. All fifteen members of this dance group is an Artist, Carvers, Weavers Society, and students of their culture.
Git Hayetsk Dancers
1607 East Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V5L 1S7
(604) 251-4844 #352 (604) 251-9413 HM. (604) 251-1986 fax
dangeli_northwind@yahoo.com or miaskren@yahoo.com
Git Hayetsk in Sm’algyax (Tsimshian language) means “people of the copper shield”. The copper shield is the most prestigious ceremonial object in Northwest Coast Native culture. It symbolizes wealth, power, prestige, strength and peace and could only be owned by the most high-ranking people. This is the standards of artistry to which the Git Hayetsk Dancers follow.
The Git Hayetsk Dancers are based out of Vancouver, British Columbia and have been performing as a group since 1999. The dancers are from many different nations, including Tsimshian, Nisga’a, Gitxsan, Haida, Tlingit and Haisla. This group takes pride in the fact that only traditional hand-made regalia, masks, skin and box drums are used to perform their ancient and contemporary songs and dances.
The Git Hayetsk Dancers have performed at traditional feasts and potlatches as well as conferences and other urban gatherings. The Git Hayetsk Dancers have performed and shared their culture in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Ohio, Hawaii, Washington DC, Ontario, Austria, Malaysia, China, Germany, and across British Columbia.
To book the Git Hayetsk Dancers or for further information please contact Mike Dangeli or Mique’l Askren.
Artist Statement:
“As a former History Major, I see practicing my Peoples Rich Art as a natural segue in continuing my study of history through Art.
My goal is to Educate and Represent, and as well to Promote our People. And to tell the world - We are not just objects in a museum we are Alive!”