First Nations Transforming Thunderbird and Orca wall panel is carved in Heiltsuk style and measures 16 x 7 x .5, priced at $345. The artist has used a distinctive metallic bronze/gold paint wash along with jet black to highlight the design and delicate carved features.

The artist is originally from Bella Bella, in British Columbia’s Central Coast region. He’s a Heiltsuk First Nations wood carver, and has been honing his craft for more than 50 years.

Bella Bella is on the beautiful and very remote east coast of Campbell Island in the Central Coast region of British Columbia, Canada. With a population of 1,400, Bella Bella is the largest community to be found on the Central Coast north of Queen Charlotte Strait. It is home to the Heiltsuk First Nation.

Ancestors of the Heiltsuk have been in the Central Coast region of British Columbia since at least 7190 BC or possibly even up to 12,000 BC.

Earthquake and flood references are common in native oral traditions all along the Cascadia margin from Yurok territory in northern California to Kwakwaka’wakw territory at the northern end of Vancouver Island. Some native stories are literal, and clearly refer to recent historical happenings. Other stories refer to the effects of earthquake or tsunami metaphorically. The Pacific Northwest traditions speak of shaking and flooding from the sea by referring to a struggle between the Thunderbird and the Whale.

The Thunderbird and Whale in the Native American stories are creatures of supernatural size and power. Although native myths vary between tribes, the acts and personalities of these supernatural beings in the stories generally describe the effects of earthquake and/or tsunami. Thunderbirds are usually said to bring storms and rain in the native stories. They create thunder by flapping their wings and shoot lightning bolts out of their eyes. To the Pacific Northwest Indian, the Thunderbird is the most powerful of all spirits. The thunderbird is a regular fixture on top of totem poles of native tribes in the Northwest.