“The Haida have a saying, ‘Life is like living on the edge of a knife. When you walk, watch your steps or you will fall off the edge of the earth.’ Inherent in the creation of my art is the suspense and awareness of the knife’s edge.”

April White was born on Haida Gwaii of the Queen Charlotte Islands, off of the western coast of British Columbia. Her father is a direct descendant of the legendary Haida artist Charles Edenshaw of the Eagle Clan. White is of the Raven Clan and has been influenced by the artists of her family, as well as the Haida traditions. April now lives in the small town of Powell River.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the University of British Columbia in 1982, making her the second member of the Haida Nation to earn a degree. She has worked as a geologist in remote areas of western Canada, an experience which has been of assistance in developing the visual faculty essential to her painting.

"I knew that eventually art would become a dominant part of my life, but that education was essential to acquiring experience and perspective."

Entirely self-taught, her natural inclination to paint stems from a heritage in which art is intrinsic to life. Inspiration comes from many things, from the coastal waters to the Haida teachings. "Innovation and adaptation have always been part of the Haida culture. I use what I have learned to reveal these qualities."