First Nations Kwakiutl Thunderbird Wall Panel measures 13 x 6.5 x .5, priced at $225. Decorated with traditional red and black.

A member of a famous and large carving family, this artist is a member of the Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwakiutl) First Nation, with heritage connecting also to the Coast Salish.

In Kwakiutl culture, the thunderbird represents power, protection, and strength, and is often viewed as the most powerful of all spirits. It is a supernatural being, a mythical bird-like spirit, and is often depicted in totem poles and masks. The thunderbird is also associated with the creation of thunder and lightning, symbolizing the force of nature. 

The Kwakiutl, also known as the Kwakwaka’wakw, are an indigenous First Nations people of the Pacific Northwest Coast in southwestern Canada. They are traditional inhabitants of coastal areas of northeastern Vancouver Island and the adjacent mainland. The term “Kwakiutl” is an anglicized version of their name, and while it was initially used to refer to the entire group, it is now more specifically used to refer to one of the tribes, the Kwaguʼł, who are centered around Fort Rupert.