Recently released in 2010, The Totem Pole was written collaboratively by Aldona Jonaitis and Aaron Glass. Through their research, they provide an insightful and absorbing account of the totem pole from ancient to contemporary icon.

As one of the most widely recognized symbols of the First Nations communities on the westcoast, the totem pole has become immensely important to their cultural and artistic revival.

"This book reconstructs the intercultural history of the art in its myriad manifestations from the 18th century to the present. The authors analyze the totem pole's continual transformation since Europeans first arrived on the scene, investigate its various functions in different contexts, and address the significant influence of colonialism on the proliferation and distribution of carved poles.  

In addition, the development of the First Nations art form is traced from the Northwest Coast to the world's fairs and global theme parks including its transformation into a signifier of place.  They write further on the role of governments, museums and anthropologists in collecting and restoring poles and the part that these carvings have continuously played in First Nations struggles to relaim control of their cultures and their land.

Throughout, there are sidebars by scholars and artists inlcuding Robert Davidson, Bill Holm, Richard Hunt, Susan Point, and Lyle Wilson amongst others which add lively discussions to specific carvings and their contexts."

The Totem Pole is available through Coastal Peoples Gallery online or visit the gallery in person in Yaletown or Gastown, Vancouver.

Opening June 24 through October 3, 2010 The Reach Gallery in Abbotsford, British Columbia is exhibiting Challenging Traditions, which was originally curated by the McMichael Canadian Art Gallery in Kleinburg, Ontario.

Coastal Peoples loaned one of the masks featured in this exhibition - Dzunuk'wa Transformation Mask by legendary Kwakwaka'wakw artist Beau Dick.

Other participating artists include Robert Davidson, Alano Edzerza, Philip Gray, Chuck Ya' Ya Heit, Philip Janze, Corey Moraes, Chester Patrick, Tim Paul, Susan Point, Steve Smith, Joe Wilson, Lyle Wilson, and Don Yeomans.

You may discover more about these artists and view many of their works online through the Coastal Peoples Gallery web site (companion book is available for online purchase), or visit The Reach Gallery exhibition in person or online at www.thereach.ca. 

Friday, February 22, 2010 In front of Coastal Peoples Gallery at 1:30pm today, the Olympic torch blazed a trail along Mainland Street where estatic crowds gathered in celebration.

Cheers, horns and whistles grew louder as the torch bearer drew closer and you could feel the energy and excitement sweep the entire length of the street.

After 106 days across Canada, the touch relay that covered more than 45,000 kilometres comes to an end. Many celebrities and recognized Canadian personalities participated, including Michael Buble, Jann Arden, astronaut Julie Payette, as well as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who was invited personally by Premier Gordon Campbell.

It's still a secret who will be the final torch bearer at the Opening Ceremonies tonight.

Saturday, June 27, 2009 The exhibition 'Challenging Traditions: Contemporary First Nations Art of the Northwest Coast' opened today at the McMichael Gallery in Kleinberg, Ontario until September 20, 2009.

By challenging the traditions of their artform, the participating artists have created unexpected pieces; such as a silver bracelet with the image of a Starbucks coffee cup in the mouth of a Raven, or a Celtic cedar wood cross with a Raven affixed to it.

Published in his newly released book 'Challenging Traditions', Ian Thom underwent two years of extensive research on over 40 artists to bring it to fruition.  As a former curator at the McMichael Gallery, and current curator at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Ian was able to tap into the First Nations' arts community to explore the various working methods and philosophies of such artists as; Christian White, Corey Moraes, Susan Point, Isabel Rorick, Joe David, Beau Dick, Philip Gray, Steve Smith, Jay Simeon, Chester Patrick, Chuck Heit, Richard Hunt, Philip Janze, Alano Edzerza, Joe Wilson, Lyle Wilson, Tim Paul and many more.

Four spectacular works were loaned to this exhibition from Coastal Peoples own collection: Raven's Children by Christian White (pg. 159); Frog Dorsal Fin sculpture and The Sky is my Castle original painting by Chester Patrick (pg. 110/111); plus a Dzunuk'wa Transformation mask by Beau Dick (pg. 34).

You may discover more about these artists and view many of their works online through the Coastal Peoples Gallery web site (book is available for online purchase), or visit the McMichael Gallery exhibition in person or online at www.mcmichael.com.

Sunday, March 15, 2009 Today, the Walter Harris Family and Urban Gitksan Society hosted an event in honour of Gitksan Chief Geel, Walter Harris, who passed away in January 2009.

An Ant'im Hanak Ceremony was held at the University of British Columbia at the First Nations House of Learning in Vancouver.  A UBC scholarship will be established in the artist's name.

Throughout his illustrious career, Walter Harris garnered many awards and accolades including the Canadian Governor General's Award in 2003.

A Mosquito Headdress by Walter Harris was featured on this site was created in partnership with Philip Janze (now sold).

View more details on Walter Harris through our Artist Biographies link.