Radar Hill, Vancouver Island, BC, April 2010
Four Clans, Tsimshian
The Tsimshian (English pronunciation: Sim-She-an) are an indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Tsimshian translates to Inside the Skeena River. The Skeena River is the second largest river entirely in BC. The river and its basin sustain a wide variety of fish, wildlife, vegetation and communities native to the area. For hundreds of years these communities have lived comfortably within the resources of the river.
Like all Northwest Coastal peoples, they thrived on the abundant sea life, especially salmon as they swam up river to spawn each year.
The Tsimshian consists of four clans;
- Laxsgiik ( Eagle Clan)
- Gispwudwada (Killerwhale Clan)
- Ganhada (Raven Clan)
- Laxgibuu ( Wolf Clan)
Like all Northwest Coastal peoples, they thrived on the abundant sea life, especially salmon as they swam up river to spawn each year.
The Tsimshian consists of four clans;
- Laxsgiik ( Eagle Clan)
- Gispwudwada (Killerwhale Clan)
- Ganhada (Raven Clan)
- Laxgibuu ( Wolf Clan)
Tofino Time
At the end of the track on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island lies the small town of Tofino.
A very laid back town set in a stunningly beautiful and wild environment of steep mountains rising from seas rich with life, inlets, dotted islands, huge redwood cedar tress crammed up to the shoreline and all lit up by a constant changing light show as weather sweeps in off the Pacific. For us we were blessed with sunny days and wild seas. Early morning beach walks (surf checks) were invigorating and at times wild as ocean born storms swept passed the exposed coastline.
The local people obviously have the same passion for this land as we were enjoying and developing during our stay, and this shows in their manner and work. There were many small businesses in the town selling and exhibiting a wide range of local products, crafts and art. Rather than the usual cheap tat you find in many 'giftshops' there were many items of interest, including hand carved traditional cedar wood boxes and local clothing designs, artwork and t-shirts courtesy of Project Monster Studios.
These two images (left) are paintings done by Julie Robinson, and are some of my favorites from her collection that we viewed at Project Monster. If your not popping to Tofino anytime soon then check out her work at http://www.projectmonster.ca/
A very laid back town set in a stunningly beautiful and wild environment of steep mountains rising from seas rich with life, inlets, dotted islands, huge redwood cedar tress crammed up to the shoreline and all lit up by a constant changing light show as weather sweeps in off the Pacific. For us we were blessed with sunny days and wild seas. Early morning beach walks (surf checks) were invigorating and at times wild as ocean born storms swept passed the exposed coastline.
The local people obviously have the same passion for this land as we were enjoying and developing during our stay, and this shows in their manner and work. There were many small businesses in the town selling and exhibiting a wide range of local products, crafts and art. Rather than the usual cheap tat you find in many 'giftshops' there were many items of interest, including hand carved traditional cedar wood boxes and local clothing designs, artwork and t-shirts courtesy of Project Monster Studios.
The image below is titled 'Surfers Delight' and has been created by the Canadian artist Roy Henry Vickers.
Descended from three northwest coast First Nations, Roy studied traditional First Nations art and design at the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art in Hazelton, and over the years being heavily influenced by Vancouver Island and specifically the area of Tofino he developed his distinctive style. Too see more of his work check out http://www.royhenryvickers.com
Take it Easy and Thanks Tofino.
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