Mother bear with cub and Beaver by Ray Wesley, gifted 1970

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• Nation: Gitxsan First Nation
• Type: Wall panels and wall plaques

Note: Prices shown are CAD 

Very interesting pieces of OLD, authentic Artwork. These were given to the Ski Patrol in 1970 - Provenance at the back.

Mother Bear with cub and Beaver

Very detailed, carved in old traditional way, small pieces of history, signed and dated - hand carved by Ray Wesley, a member of the Tsimshian First Nation from Skeena River.

The Tsimshian are mostly from coastal BC, far southern Alaska, around Terrace and Prince Rupert. The Tsimshian people consist of approximately 10,000 members of seven First Nations (including the Kitselas, Kitsumkalum, and the "Allied Tribes" of the Lax Kw'Alaams; the Metlakatla, Kitkatla,Gitga'at and Kitasoo). The Tsimshian are one of the largest First Nations peoples in northwest British Columbia. Some Tsimshian migrated to Annette Island, Alaska, where their descendants in the Metlakatla Indian Community number about 1450.

Similar to numerous Native American peoples, the Tsimshian have a matrilineal kinship system, with a societal structure based on a clan system. Early anthropologists and linguists had classified the Gitskan and Nishga as Tsimshian because of apparent linguistic affinities. The three were all referred to as "Coast Tsimshian," even though some communities were not coastal. These three groups, however, identify as separate nations.

Measurements: 7" x 5 1/2" x 3/4" (18 x 14 x 2 cm)

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