Award Category: First Nations Art Award

Aboriginal artist Mary Michell has been named by Premier Gordon Campbell and Keith Mitchell, chair of the BC Achievement Foundation, as the recipient of the 2008 BC Creative Lifetime Achievement Award for Aboriginal Art. The award recognizes BC First Nations artists whose dedication to their work has had a profound impact on both their community and First Nations culture. “Mary Michell is an inspiration to her community, First Nations and all British Columbians,” said Premier Campbell, a director of the Foundation. “She has demonstrated a lifelong pursuit of artistic excellence and she is very deserving of this prestigious award.” “Mary has been producing beautiful crafts and clothing her entire life, and the BC Achievement Foundation is thrilled to present the second annual Lifetime Achievement Award to such a deserving artist,” said Keith Mitchell. Mary Michell is an 82-year-old Carrier artist from Burns Lake. Her work includes using moosehides and beads to create beautiful crafts and clothing. She began to learn how to prepare and tan moosehides at the age of 13 and has continued to make crafts her entire life. She creates all her work by hand, and each item can take up to three weeks to complete. Through the traditional clan system, Michell has created wedding dresses, vests, jackets, purses, mukluks, moccasins and gloves. In May 2008, Mary presented the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, the Honourable Steven Point (Xwe li qwel tel), with a jacket she made. Other dignitaries who wear jackets made by Michell include: Department of Indian Affairs Minister David Crombie; First Nations politician Elijah Harper; Grand Chief Ed John; Tribal Chief Justa Monk, Tribal Chief Joseph Michell; and Nisga’a politician Harry Nyce

Barbara has demonstrated a deep understanding of the history of the Syilx (Okanagan Nation) in both contemporary and traditional works. Stone, sand, paint and other natural and contemporary materials are combined to create works that are tactile and present an overwhelming sensory experience for the viewer. She is presently creating a body of work to visually portray how traditional stories and language connect, overlap, and remind us of our responsibility to take care of the land. Barbara is an instructor in the En’owkin Centre’s Visual Arts Program and is also enrolled as a student in the Okanagan Native Language Program. Her work has been exhibited throughout British Columbia and in 2000, she received the BC2000 Book Award for her illustrations in Kou-Skelowh.

In 1974 Chester (Chaz) began his training at the prestigious Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Arts at ‘Ksan. Chaz excels at painting, carving and designing, working primarily in yellow cedar that allows him to make clean, well-defined cuts to highlight his design work. Design is the most fundamental element in all of his work, whether carving or painting. As the artist-in-residence, he was hired to build two ceremonial panels for the front of the Hill’s Indian Crafts Gallery in Gastown. His work can be found in private collections, galleries, and public institutions throughout North America, Asia, and Europe.

Christian was born on Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) and began to carve argillite at fourteen under the direction of his father, Morris White. When he was only twenty-two years old, his sculpture titled Raven Dancer was purchased for the permanent collection of the Museum of Anthropology at UBC. His work is now in collections at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Royal British Columbia Museum, the Seattle Art Museum and is featured in Totems to Turquoise. Christian’s style has influenced many emerging Haida artists, and his efforts have helped to establish an apprenticeship program and the future direction for Haida and northwest coast art. (photo: Spirit Wrestler Gallery)

William first learned weaving from his aunt, Betty Sampson, and later received formal training through the Alaska Native Heritage Centre. For the last ten years, he has focused on reviving ancient weaving techniques used in producing Chilkat. William has encouraged and trained many Tsimshian and other Northwest Coast First Nations in basketry, Raven’s Tail and Chilkat weaving. He is passionate about sharing the Tsimshian culture through his work. One of his Chilkat Robes is in the permanent collection at UBC’s Museum of Anthropology, and his work has been exhibited in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and throughout the United States.

A master Tahltan-Tlingit carver for more than 30 years, Dempsey Bob’s prolific totem poles and sculptures are seen in galleries and in private, government and corporate collections around the world. Using alder, cedar and bronze, Dempsey’s work is inspired by history and reflects the richness of the Tahltan culture. Dempsey’s work is celebrated in many collections including the University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Museum of Ethnology in Japan.

Robert Davidson is known throughout the world as a master carver of totem poles and masks as well as a printmaker, painter and jeweler. Davidson learned the art of carving from his father and grandfather and has evolved into a leading figure in the renaissance of Haida art and culture. He remains committed to using cultural knowledge to celebrate the present as well as commemorate the past. Davidson has received the National Aboriginal Achievement Award, the Order of British Columbia and the Order of Canada.