The history and tradition of argillite carving can be seen through the individual reflection of each piece. The Haida word for argillite is Kwawhlhal. Argillite is a type of rock that is transitional between slate and shale. Only found on the Islands of Haida Gwaii at the Slatechuck site, located near Skidegate Inlet. Slatechuck is a five-kilometer hike from the inlet and is owned and controlled by the Haida people “Chuck” is the Chinook Jargon word for water, “saltchuck” means salty water and the literal meaning of “Slatechuck” is slate and water.
Depending upon the preference of the artist, argillite carvings may be left in the natural, dull grey state or polished with oils to produce a high, black shine. Argillite will become black and shiny if handled often enough. During the contact period, traders typically wanted the stone to be as glossy and black as possible. The lithic material that the carvings are made out of is a unique and fragile substance. The material is often kept wrapped in towels saturated with water to keep the material “soft” and easy to carve.