Background
He is the son of the carver David A. Boxley, his mentor. His mother, Elizabeth, is non-Native, but was adopted into the Tsimshian Laxsgiik (Eagle clan).
He is the son of the carver David A. Boxley, his mentor. His mother, Elizabeth, is non-Native, but was adopted into the Tsimshian Laxsgiik (Eagle clan).
His former Tsimshian name was Lapaaygm xsgyiik, which means "He Who Flies Like the Eagle" in the Tsimshian language. This was done to correct his Eagle clan affiliation since he had to have an opposite clan from his father, David A. Boxley. (Tsimshian Indians follow the matralineal tradition of most Northwest Coast tribes)
He was given the name Gyibaawm laxha, which means "Wolf of the Sky".
This was to honor his new clan, but also to pay homage to his father, and his former clan, the Laxsgyiik (Eagle clan).
Since 2000, he has carved sixteen totem poles with his father and carved his first solo totem pole in 2005.