bill reid, bc artist

Bill ReidBC Artist

William (Bill) Ronald Reid January 12, 1920 – March 13, 1998

Born in Victoria to a father of European descent and a mother from the Raven/Wolf Clan of the Haida, one of the First Nations of the Pacific Coast.

Art on Money

Two of his sculptures, Raven and the First Men and The Jade Canoe, The Spirit of Haida Gwaii, are prominently featured on the CAD $20.00 bill.

Can you find the two sculptures?

Raven and the First Man

The Jade Canoe, The Spirit of Haida Gwaii One of the sculptures is called The Jade Canoe

Where else have you seen it?

Do you remember seeing it now?

Wolf with eagle wing in his mouth

Bear paw in eagle’s mouth

Beaver working hard

“Ancient reluctant conscript”

Haida travelled in canoes They needed provisions such as water, food, blankets and

more.

Where did they store them?

What skills and character traits does this type of travel require?

How did they get along?

Talk in your group about the problems of this type of travel

Who would you be in the Jade Canoe? Grizzly Bear-sitting at the bow staring toward Raven

Bear Mother-Grizzly’s human wife

One of the twin cubs-Good Bear (ears pointed forward) or Bad Bear (ears pointed back)

Beaver-Raven’s uncle

Raven with the oar-trickster

Beaver with an oar

Mouse woman-crouched under Raven’s tail

Human Shaman in the middle

Discuss in your group