Trevor Husband

Trevor Husband was born and raised on Haida Gwaii. His mother’s family is Cree from Sweetgrass, Saskatchewan, with French and Irish roots. His father’s family is Gitxsan, English, and Scottish. He grew up in a close community and spent most of his childhood outdoors—fishing, hunting, and camping.

At 18, Trevor moved to Vancouver and first pursued creative writing. Soon after, he shifted toward music. He played guitar and bass, sang, and rapped in hip hop, reggae, funk, and rock groups. He also wrote songs for many of those projects and occasionally explored acting.

After 15 years in Vancouver, he moved to the Cowichan Valley to raise his family and focus on visual art. He apprenticed with Coast Salish artist Herb Rice, learning wood carving through plaques and totems. Over time, he developed his own style, drawing from Haida art, the many carving traditions visible in Duncan—the “City of Totems”—and styles from across the coast.

Trevor now works to create a style that honours tradition while pushing the art form forward. This balance is challenging. He aims to respect the lineages that shaped Northwest Coast art while also exploring new ideas and modern materials. As someone of mixed heritage, he works to keep the spirit of the art alive while allowing it to grow.

Ceremony keeps him grounded and connected to spirit and land. He also works part‑time as a youth worker at the Duncan Native Friendship Centre. There, he teaches carving, supports youth through hip hop and mentorship, and advocates for high‑risk young people.