I was born and raised here in Sitka Alaska. I am the 11th child of Paul and Ivy Ozawa. My nationality is Tlingit/Haida/French Canadian and Scotch Irish and possibly Japanese. My Father was full blooded Tlingit and Japanese and my Mother was Haida/French Canadian and Scotch Irish. I do not know the extent of Japanese Heritage. (My father born in Taku Harbor was sent to the Haines Orphanage when his Mother Fannie Sumdum contacted TB and died. While at the orphanage he was adopted by Henry Ozawa). This is all that I recall being told to me by my Mother. At the age of 18 I was informed by my Father that he and my Mother were Japanese Interned to Washington State. I asked my Mother Ivy why I was not told this sooner and her reply was “Rhonda Sue, there is enough hatred in this world and we want to teach our children not to hate but to love one another and to treat people the way we want to be treated with Love and respect. They then were relocated to Montana where their first child was born (Richard). They then made their way working on farms and the railroad to Chicago where my brother (Raymond) was born. Attempting to get back to their native home here in Sitka they worked their way back to Seattle where my brother (Ronnie) was born. Finally they made their way back to Alaska. Their first stop being Hydaburg where my oldest Sister (Renee’) was born. Working in cannaries they finally made it back to Beautiful Sitka by the Sea where the remaining seven children were born and they are (Rita, Rhea, Robert, Roy, Reggie, Roberta and Rhonda). I realized my love in creating traditional Tlingit and Haida Art stems from the teachings of my Father who was a well known sign painter and the patience and love in which I put into my paintings comes from my Mother who had the patience and love to raise 11 children. I still remember her saying to me “when I create my art it comes from the heart with alot of love and that whomever purchases my art the perciseness, love and patience will follow in my creations.

I am married to John Reaney from Southern California and we have two Beautiful Daughters (Jamie Lee and Michelle Lee). We both realized that Sitka would be an excellent location to raise our two daughters. Our oldest daughter Jamie Lee is attending Portland State University and our youngest daughter is currently attending Sitka High School. I am very lucky to have been able to send our daughters to the same schools that I attended.

A lot of my creations are produced from watching local wildlife. My Mother told me that if we watch the animals they would teach us. I was always told to respect my elders but to also respect our surroundings. When growing up we lived off the land eating Fish, Deer Meat, Berries and other edible plants. But I remember her saying that we only take what we need and leave some for other animals to gather as they will in turn take back to their homes. Love, Respect were most important in the Ozawa household. I hope to carry the traditions of my family when creating my art work. I put Love and Patience into all my Tlingit and Haida Art designs.

As a final note again my Mother Ivy once said to me “Love is like Butter and it’s meant to be spread”.