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Margaret Nazon's fish-scale art
Antoine Mountain Guest columnist Monday, November 3, 2008 Previous columns 
Well, now that the snow is here to stay, with a warm fire a-blazing, our thoughts surely must turn to matters heartening. And one of those certainly comes to mind when I turn to reporter Daron Letts' enlightening story of Margaret Nazon and her new craze, that of fish-scale and bone art. For those that don't know this person, probably only a very few in the North, she is a one-person artistic wonder to behold, who not only commands a niche renowned in the world of fashions and fabric creations, but has even taken her rightful place in the choir of the Delta Hummingbirds, I believe, as they are styled. Why, when things quiet down just enough I can almost distinctly hear her cymbally tones a-chirpin' away, and high above normal human register (or was that my cell's ring tone?). Oh well. This story also has to do with this Delta Lady's new works, involving fish scales and bones. I should also mention that I have been to the fish camp of her and husband - jazz musician Bob Mumford - across from the village of Tsiigehtchic, made famous by Alestine Andre's Hollywood-like sign to greet visitors there. I recall how my late grandfather, Peter Mountain, Sr. once gave me a necklace made of fish backbones, which was quite unique. And I am glad that my cousin, the sublime Janet Grandjambe was mentioned by Margaret as being one of her influences, along with Inuvik's Lillian Wright. I have seen some truly stunning artworks made of these dyed fish scales, with colourful designs of flowers and such. For those that do know Margaret Nazon, none would be surprised she is now busily peering into the heavens with the help of the Hubble telescope, to render futuristic visions based on the galaxies. So I am now patiently waiting for anything she might come up with from my Inuvialuktun pal Roy Goose's home zone, the Planet Gosling! I simply must have that for my wall, or ceiling, rather. At any rate, Margaret, keep helping us to dream on and Mahsi Cho, too.
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