Other

Spy Hop Killer Whale
Rod Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary.Killer Whales are widely considered cla...

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary.Killer Whales are widely considered clan ancestors. Living in human form in undersea villages, killer whales are often thought to be the reincarnations of great chiefs and are associated with wealth, unity and travel. Some prominent characteristic traits of Killer Whale are a rounded snout, blowhole, a dorsal fin, pectoral fins and a tail.The term 'Spy Hop' refers to the action when Killer Whales bob near the surface of the water, 'spy...

Salmon on Driftwood
Rod Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Salmon is fundamental to all coastal peoples, and is a symbol of regeneration, health and life. M...

Salmon is fundamental to all coastal peoples, and is a symbol of regeneration, health and life. Many myths tell of people taken to the undersea world of the Salmon and return with secret knowledge and powers. Salmon have always been viewed as the life force for Indigenous communities. Salmon is often represented by scales, small fins and striated tail fin.

Salmon on Driftwood
Rod Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Salmon is fundamental to all coastal peoples, and is a symbol of regeneration, health and life. M...

Salmon is fundamental to all coastal peoples, and is a symbol of regeneration, health and life. Many myths tell of people taken to the undersea world of the Salmon and return with secret knowledge and powers. Salmon have always been viewed as the life force for Indigenous communities. Salmon is often represented by scales, small fins and striated tail fin.

Spruce Root Hat
Isabel Rorick (Haida)

This woven spruce root hat features the Spider Web and Slug Trail weaving designs.

This woven spruce root hat features the Spider Web and Slug Trail weaving designs.

Eagle Rattle
Charlie Johnson (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Eagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Coast. It is ...

Eagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Coast. It is respected for its intel­ligence and power, as well as its extraordinary vision, in both the literal and figurative senses. Eagles in myth are, likewise, usu­ally noble characters. Eagle is revered as a powerful hunter. Groups of mythical Eagles may gather for co-operative whale hunting expeditions, since, unlike the giant Thunderbird, Eagle is not strong enough to hunt whales alone. Eagle may ofte...

Raven Dance Prop
Richard Sumner (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Raven is central to coastal mythology. As a culture hero, a transformer, and a trickster, his adv...

Raven is central to coastal mythology. As a culture hero, a transformer, and a trickster, his adventures at the beginning of time released the sun and the moon and brought the world into existence.

Dogfish Plaster
Bill Reid (Haida)

c. 1991This is a plaster of the yellow cedar Dogfish door that Reid carved in 1968 and which was ...

c. 1991This is a plaster of the yellow cedar Dogfish door that Reid carved in 1968 and which was used to make an edition of paper casts in 1991.

Killer Whale Soapberry Spoon
Nalaga (Avis O'Brien) (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Killer Whales are widely considered clan ancestors. Living in human form in undersea villages, ki...

Killer Whales are widely considered clan ancestors. Living in human form in undersea villages, killer whales are often thought to be the reincarnations of great chiefs and are associated with wealth, unity and travel. Some prominent characteristic traits of Killer Whale are a rounded snout, blowhole, a dorsal fin, pectoral fins and a tail.

Eagle Feather
Luke Marston (Salish)

Double-SidedEagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest C...

Double-SidedEagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Coast. It is respected for its intel­ligence and power, as well as its extraordinary vision, in both the literal and figurative senses. Eagles in myth are, likewise, usu­ally noble characters. Eagle is revered as a powerful hunter. Groups of mythical Eagles may gather for co-operative whale hunting expeditions, since, unlike the giant Thunderbird, Eagle is not strong enough to hunt whales alone. Ea...

Seal Head
Rod Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary.

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary.

Seal Head
Rod Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary.

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary.

Small Seal Head
Rod Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary.

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary.

Bear Rattle Sculpture
Bill Reid (Haida)

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on ...

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.

Seal Head
Rod Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary.

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary.