Hunt, Tony (Chief) (1942 - 2017)

Chief Tony Hunt (1942 - 2017).... still hard to believe that he's gone... we are sending our condolences to all our friends and family members of the Hunt family - we will miss him !!!!
Chief Tony was born at the Kwakwaka'wakw community of T’saxis (Fort Rupert) on Vancouver Island, BC. He is the hereditary chief of the KwaGulth people of Fort Rupert and of the Dzawada’enuxw People from the Kincome Inlet and is one of the greatest living native artists of the
Chief Hunt created
His grand masterpiece is the very impressive KwaGulth ceremonial Big House at
Chief Hunt has designed nearly 100 full-scale totem poles – more than any First Nation artist. Tony’s artwork has captivated an international audience. Many of his works are celebrated monuments in countries around the world.
Among the many honours awarded to Chief Hunt outside his traditional culture are an Honorary Doctorate of Law from
Chief Hunt has been presented to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and has given her three works of art.
Most recently Chief Hunt worked with The Honourable Steven L. Point, OBC, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, on two canoe projects. The first was the river going canoe “Shxwtitosel”, which was given by His Honour to the
I had the pleasure of meeting Chief Tony in person many times and am honoured to call him my friend. It was always such a pleasure to listen to his stories, especially when he talks about Mungo Martin and his childhood - how it was growing up, learning and being so much loved and cared for by such an incredibly historically important but most of all, loving mentor and grand father - and to learn through him the true and history of his peoples.