Charles McKay

Interior Salish Nation

Charles McKay was born November 13th, 1960 in Lytton, British Columbia, Canada, which is located in the south-central region of the province. He is a member of the Interior Salish nation and takes the Eagle, revered for its great power and strength, as his family crest symbol.

Although his father, Jerry McKay, taught him the basic skills of attaining depth, intricacy and fine detail, Charles is primarily a self-taught artist. In 1972, he began his artistic career and to this day, Charles upholds a simple, yet refined quality in his artwork.

Charles is a versatile artist who enjoys the challenge of carving in a variety of media. Experienced in the use of wood, leather and antler, he has made such items as leather hair berets, belt buckles and desk objects. Recently he acquired whale teeth from which he creates exquisite sculptures with abalone shell inlay. In addition, Charles McKay and Prescott Shackelly have been collaborating to make flutes of red and yellow cedar. The teamwork of Prescott making and tuning flutes and Charles carving and ornamenting them has created a finished product like no other. Charles McKay continues to push creativity, and as such has become a collectible artist who avidly preserves his cultural heritage for future generations.