Indigenous Art And Culture
07 March 2026
Introduction Raven is one of the most important and widely represented figures in Northwest Coast Indigenous mythology and art. Found in the traditions of many coastal First Nations—including Haida, Tlingit, Tsimshian, and Kwakwaka’wakw—Raven appears in carvings, masks, totem poles, jewellery, and contemporary prints. More than a visual motif, Raven represents powerful cultural teachings. He is […]
20 January 2026
Introduction The Sasquatch is a recurring figure in Northwest Coast Native art symbolism, appearing in both traditional and contemporary Indigenous artworks. Sasquatch is often associated with strength, transformation, mystery, and a connection to the natural world. These themes reflect cultural knowledge shaped by place, oral history, and artistic lineage. The term Sasquatch is an anglicized […]
31 December 2025
Introduction The orca, also known as the killer whale, is a powerful and frequent figure in Northwest Coast Native art symbolism. It appears in both traditional and contemporary Indigenous artworks. Often associated with family, strength, protection, and ancestral connection, the orca reflects cultural knowledge shaped by ocean life, oral histories, and artistic lineage. As with […]
28 December 2025
Introduction The frog is a recurring figure in Northwest Coast Native art symbolism, appearing in both traditional and contemporary Indigenous artworks. Often associated with transformation, communication, and connection to the natural world, the frog reflects cultural knowledge shaped by place, story, and artistic lineage. As with many Northwest Coast Native art symbols, the meaning of […]
27 December 2025
Symbolism as Visual Language Symbolism shapes Northwest Coast Native art and uses visual language to share stories, histories, and cultural knowledge. For Indigenous artists of the Northwest Coast, symbols are not simply decorative motifs—they are meaningful forms that carry ancestral teachings, social values, and connections to land, water, and community. From carved poles and ceremonial […]
09 November 2025
Pollinators: The Foundation of Life Pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, bats, and butterflies are the unsung heroes of our ecosystems. These small creatures play an important role in sustaining life on Earth. Around 75% of the world’s flowering plants and 35% of global food crops rely on pollinators for reproduction. Without them, we would lose not […]
09 November 2025
One of the most frequent motifs in Coast Salish art was also a tool of high cultural importance. The spindle whorl allowed Salish women to weave beautiful textiles of spiritual and social significance. The spindle whorl was used to spin fleece into a thick yarn. It consisted of a small disk (whorl) with a shaft, […]
09 November 2025
From the Tlingit in Alaska to the Coast Salish in Southern British Columbia and Northern Washington; the Pacific Northwest is home to more than a dozen First Nations. It is an area of exceptional linguistic, cultural, and artistic diversity. The brief discussion of Northwest coast art below outlines some of the major cultural art styles. […]
09 November 2025
Ours was an abundant land. Our forests, meadows, creek sides, marshes and seashores offered many plants for our use. – Dave Elliott Sr., 1980 This Area Was A Natural Park Climbing up the summit at Beacon Hill Park in Victoria, BC, visitors can see a plaque affixed to a rock that reads: When Victoria was […]
09 November 2025
Introducing KC Hall Heiltsuk artist KC Hall represents a new generation of Native artists. He is combining graffiti with traditional form line. In the process he is reaching a whole new group of art enthusiasts. The thought that he might be ruffling the feathers of traditionalists along the way is of no concern to him. […]