This traditional Welcome Figure is a diminutive 8 x 4 x 3 inches, priced at $250. Check out the details by hovering your mouse cursor over the photos. The carved and decorated figure is topped with hand-worked traditional red cedar bark.

The artist was born in Duncan, British Columbia in 1967, into Cowichan and Kwakwaka’wakw heritage. She takes the Sea Wolf as her family crest.

The artist learned to carve under the guidance of Simon Charlie. She has been carving for over 20 years and has created many amazing masks and sculptures. She uses alder, red cedar, yellow cedar and pine for all of her carvings. Her carvings are known and collected world wide—easily recognizable for their unique curves and style—the female touch.

The Kwakwaka’wakw (pronounced: kwock-KWOCKY-wowk) of British Columbia have built a rich culture that reflects and acknowledges the riches in the natural environment. Their songs, stories, dances, and ceremonial objects honor the animals, rivers, cedar trees, salmon, and all those things that help to sustain the Kwakwaka’wakw physically and spiritually.

Tall human figures known as “welcome figures” are a Coast Salish tradition and greeted guests along the water throughout Puget Sound. The figure faces the arriving guests and his hands are stretched out in a welcoming gesture. In recent decades, they have become more popular and common once again. Native peoples of Western Washington including the Puget Sound Salish and the Makah, Quinault and Quileute peoples were known to carve welcome figures.