Rayuka Season, Tu Nedhe

Abstract

This painting shows a Tłı˛cho˛ mother and her child observing the northern lights around the Yellowknife area. In our beliefs the lights represent people who have passed on due to an accident, especially those who are young. Their spirits are restless – they are not on this earth or wherever people might go. The word ‘rayuka’ literally means stabbing around, moving around really fast in a darting motion. So this is a painting of a mother and her child who have been left behind by their husband and father, or someone close.