Bill Reid, BC Artist
Transcript of 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