The Canoe Cultures Society is an Indigenous-led non-profit society dedicated to the art and culture of the Canoe. Come to see live demonstrations of traditional Canoe carving techniques as young Indigenous carvers demonstrate their skills on a new canoe and display completed canoes.
Mike Billy Is a 7th generation skwxwu7mesh canoe carver who is creating a significant fleet of new dugout and cedar strips for local First Nations, including the North Shore Canoe Club on skwxwu7mesh Nation, while teaching apprentices, guests and visitors about the traditions, tools and techniques used. The projects serve as a multi-generational and multicultural opportunity for learning about traditional skwxwu7mesh ways regarding the canoe and its significance to the Squamish way of life. It forms the basis for reconciliation activities in that it allows non-First Nations people an opportunity to understand aspects of Indigenous traditions (a key to creating mutual understanding) while concurrently helping to pass on traditional skills to other skwxwu7mesh members who have yet to be exposed to canoe carving.
Mike is the Lead on the project and makes all major decisions regarding the canoe design, the schedule, who the apprentices are and how to interact and work with the Elders. Mike also ensures that activities are done in a culturally significant and respectful manner.
Greetings, my name is Barrett Martin, and my ancestral name is Wátiya. I come from Squamish, Nuxalk, and Nisga’a nations and reside on Squamish land in the village of X̱wemelch’stn or Capilano Reserve. My reason for carving is a recent awakening in my cultural spirit. In January 2020 i joined a cultural program based in Whistler’s Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. This program opened up a whole new opportunity for me to learn about and appreciate my culture. My goal in this program is to learn more about canoe carving from my uncle and cousin in program. I see myself pursuing more and more opportunities to learn not only in canoe carving but in cultural prowess altogether.
I was born in Port Alberni and grew up on Tseshaht Nation on Vancouver Island.
When I grew up I did not have a lot of contact with my culture. I lived on the reserve, but not with my family and my Auntie had other children so was very busy. I enjoyed sports and working with my hands. Sometimes my Grandfather took me fishing. I moved to Vancouver when I was 18 to live on my own. I worked in restaurants for a few years. I then started to work at the Concord Community Park where I met the people from Canoe Cultures. I stopped by every day to talk to them and sometimes helped out when I wasn’t doing other things. I started to work at Canoe Cultures during the summer months, starting in 2019 until 2023. I still work at the park.
I hope to teach my sons and younger brother about our history and our culture. One day I would like to return to my Nation and teach other young people. I think that if I had more experience with cultural practices of my people, I would have a fuller life and not have experienced as many hardships. If I can help other young people be happy I would like this.
Ali Muldoe is Gitxsan from Wilps Nisto’o of the frog clan. Her parents are the late Myrtle (Jones) and Simon Muldoe. She grew up in the Hazeltons in northern BC on her native territory and has lived in many parts of the province.
Learning from the teachings of her family, Ali works with cedar bark and Devils Club from harvesting, preparing and weaving beautiful roses, jewellery, and traditional healing oils. Ali has been working with cedar bark for over 20 years.
Another Coyote by Naomi Narcisse
Indigenous Wearable Art for Everyone. Apparel, art, beadwork, jewelry, etc.
Beaded hats, medallions, sunglasses and earrings.
Salish artist, Chris Sparrow. With his own unique style he creates carvings and jewlery that showcase the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Indigenous Ingenuity Co. by Melaney Gleeson-Lyall
Musqueam artist and author. Tees, stickers, pins, silver Pendants, children’s books, apparel.
Michael “Sabian” Rawcliffe is of Algonquin heritage from Quebec, however he was raised in Ojibway territories of southern Ontario. Michael’s work incorporates beadwork and dream catcher skills developed while residing in Minnesota. Michael relocated to BC where he developed skills in drum/rattlemaking and Coast Salish art design and most recently he is developing skills in leather craft.
Michael shares the teachings and techniques he has learned/developed with regular classes in the GVA.
Samantha Andreola is owner and operator of Shining Bear Designs, an Indigenous owned and operated apparel company located in Whonnock, BC the traditional territories of the Katzie and Kwantlen First Nations. She is an Anishinaabe originally from Northern Ontario, with a background in business and graphic design.
Tina Taphouse is an Indigenous artist, photographer, designer and presenter. She is Interior Salish from St’at’imc Territory in BC, currently residing in Langley.
Her love for photography started in elementary school when she carried various film cameras around. She loves learning new art techniques and genres of art form, from sublimation to wood creations. designing to photography. Every item she sells she created.
