Gladys Vandal, whose Haida name is Jiixa, was born and raised in Skidegate in Haida Gwaii, Canada. As a member of the Eagle clan, she comes from a long line of artists and weavers including her grandmother, a skilled weaver of cedar and spruce roots.

Gladys began weaving cedar bark in 1994 under the guidance of Delores Churchill, and later taking classes from Delores’ daughters, April and Holly, who learned from their mother and grandmother, Selina (Adams) Peratrovich. Over the years, Gladys went on to develop her own unique style and technique. She is very well known for her traditional cedar hats. However, she enjoys weaving a variety of other items including baskets, rattles, flowers, jewelry and doll clothes.

She gathers much of her own yellow and red cedar bark from the forests around Skidegate. Gladys also teaches weaving as an opportunity to pass on Haida stories and cultural knowledge along with weaving traditions. She is also committed to the Skidegate Haida Immersion Program.

Gladys has exhibited her work in places throughout British Columbia including the Haida Gwaii Museum and the Turtle Island Gallery in Kelowna. She has participated in many art shows including the All Islands Art Show and the BC Festival of the Arts and is the recipient of several Awards of Merit.

Gladys raised her own family in Haida Gwaii and remains close to them. She is now a doting grandmother who loves spending as much time as possible with her grand children. Gladys' extended family is filled with artists of all kinds, including other weavers.