Expertly carved yellow cedar Orca Whale Circle measures 16 inches in diameter and is 1.5 inches thick. Priced at $2100. Circle design features waters splashing and the Orca tail returning around the circle to be held aloft. Black, cinnabar red, green and brilliant blue waters add to the dynamism.

This artist is a member of the Squamish Nation which consists of descendants of the Coast Salish Aboriginal peoples, originating from the greater Vancouver area, Gibson’s Landing and Squamish River watershed. This young artist’s style is a blend of strong family Kwakwaka’wakw art styles, and unique personal taste towards contemporary inspirations. He is a member of a premier artistic family.

Squamish is a town north of Vancouver, in British Columbia, Canada. It’s at the northern tip of the island-dotted Howe Sound, and surrounded by mountains like the Stawamus Chief, a huge granite monolith. The Sea to Sky Gondola has views of the sound and nearby Shannon Falls, a towering waterfall cascading down a series of cliffs. The Britannia Mine Museum has underground train tours. Bike trails cris-cross the area.

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim is one of the 10 languages within the Coast Salish branch. The Squamish People, who are the Indigenous Peoples that speak Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim, are often referred to as the Squamish Nation today.

The Orca Whale is a symbol often centered around luck, compassion and family. Orcas are known to some Indigenous communities as the guardians of the sea. To some people, orcas represent the strength of love and the bonds of family because of their strong group behavior. Orca may also be called Killer Whale or Blackfish.

NATSILANE

Long ago, a young man named Natsilane lived on the Pacific Northwest Coast. Natsilane could carve just about anything out of any type of material including rock and wood.

One night, Natsilane fell asleep on the beach. He awoke when he heard his name. “Natsilane,” called the voice. Natsilane looked around but saw no one. He thought he was just hearing things, until once again he heard his name. This time Natsilane saw a sea lion that seemed to be talking to him. “Natsilane, I need your help. I have an injured flipper. If you help me, I will return you safely to your home,” said the sea lion. Natsilane healed the sea lion’s flipper, and the sea lion safely returned Natsilane home, just as promised.

After he returned home, Natsilane began carving a large black fish from wood. After he finished the carving, Natsilane released it into the water, wishing that it would always be helpful and friendly to people just as the sea lion had been to him. To Natsilane’s surprise, his carved black fish came to life!

The black fish was very friendly and stayed in the water where Natsilane lived. Natsilane visited the black fish every day. He and his friends often swam with the big black fish. This is how the first black fish, or orca whale, came to be. And this is why orcas living in the wild do not harm humans.