Meghann O’Brien is an independent snowboarder and Northwest Coast textile artist working in the traditions of basketry, Yeil Koowu (Raven’s Tail) and Naaxiin (Chilkat) weaving. She is descended from the Kwakwaka’wakw village of Weka’yi T’sakwa’lutan (Cape Mudge), the village of Kiusta, Haida Gwaii, and Dublin, Ireland. Her name in the Kwakwala language is Kwaxhi’laga-”Smoke Coming Out of the Top of the Big House, Welcoming People to Feast and Potlatch”. In the Haida language she carries the name Jaad Kuujus- ”Dear Woman”. Her early years were spent primarily as a snowboarder and fisherwoman in the community of Alert Bay, near Vancouver Island. In 2007 O’Brien began working in basketry with Donna Cranmer and Kerri Dick, and later learned Raven’s Tail weaving with Sherri Lightbown in Masset, BC. She then completed a strict traditional apprenticeship under master Chilkat weaver William White. In 2011, she made the career shift from professional snowboarder to full-time artist. O’Brien’s artistic process is one of devotion to the highest expression of the art form, with a focused intention to interpret and express the teachings received through the process of creating works.
The Art Gallery of Alberta respectfully acknowledges that we are located in Treaty 6 Territory and Region 4 of the Metis Nation of Alberta. We respect this as the traditional and contemporary land of diverse Indigenous Peoples including the Plains Cree, Woodland Cree, Beaver Cree, Nitsitapi/Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Anishinaabe/Saulteaux/Ojibwe and Dene Peoples. We also acknowledge the many Indigenous, Inuit and Métis people who make Alberta their home today.