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Vancouver, BC airport, foundation spotlight native art.

Millions of travellers getting to know Northwest Coast First Nations’ culture. Or go meet the artists themselves in BC’s misty north.

by Masa Takei 13 September 2010

Characterized by the use of ovoids and formlines, the Northwest Coast First Nations’ art is distinctive and readily recognizable to many who visit British Columbia. For many visitors, it’ll be among the first things they see when they land or leave. Work by famed Haida artist Bill Reid, “The Spirit of Haida Gwaii: The Jade Canoe,” occupies a prominent place on both the Canadian $20 bill and at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Other art by the upcoming generation of artists is also on display at the airport through the Display Case Program, which spotlights works in the domestic and international terminal buildings and departure lounges to millions of travellers.
The YVR Art Foundation (YVRAF) also fosters development of artists by offering art scholarships to First Nations youth. For visitors lucky enough to make it up to the supernatural islands of Haida Gwaii, home of the Haida, they can view original art right at its source.
Many of the Haida artists in the town of Old Masset open their studios to visitors. This includes Master Haida carver Christian White, under whom many young Haida artists and YVRAF scholarship recipients get their mentorship. White has worked as a professional artist since he started carving at the age of 14, picking it up from his father, Morris White Chief Edenshaw. From 2004-2005, he constructed a traditional Haida longhouse to honour the next generation and teach them how to carry their arts forward. A pole inside the longhouse was constructed to honour his father as well. It’s in this longhouse and the accompanying workshop that many of his apprentices hone their skills, including White’s son Vernon. White and his wife Candace also host a traditional Haida song and dance group in the longhouse. This space gives the younger generation a place to practice, display their work and perform their dances. It’s a place that Bill Reid, Honorary Patron of the YVRAF, would likely have been glad to see.
To visit Christian White’s Tluu Xaada Naay Longhouse in Old Masset, call ahead (250-626-5250) or e-mail: haidachristian@hotmail.com.
www.yvraf.com
www.hellobc.com
video:
Haida Culture, Gwaii Haanas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6hlvfoulPw
Moon Stories, Gwaii Haanas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnnPzaKfhXU
Haida Culture and History
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgUJb5w7lMQ
Totem Poles of Haida Gwaii
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOod-HJULvw

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Usage guidelines

We welcome you to use these story ideas as inspiration for your own stories about Canada. The CTC owns all rights worldwide. (Our images are also royalty-free and available for editorial print, broadcast and electronic use.) If you choose to reproduce these texts for editorial use only, please include the author's byline and "courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission." If you cut, edit or modify the text in any way, please include this note: "The text has been modified from the original." Thank you.

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Prince Edward Island, Credit - Mandatory Tourism PEI/John Sylvester - Background Image