Gisgaast - Remarque #2/10

I was adopted into the Fireweed/Whale clan to the House of Qeel by the head chief in Kispiox, B.C. The man who adopted me was the late Walter Harris, one of my mentors and teachers in the art world. Walter was also a holder of the Order of Canada, the highest civilian order, for his lifetime contribution to Canadian art. During the adoption ceremony, I was given a Gisgaast name, Skun Wihaast, which translates to Big Fireweed Plant. This brings me to another full circle as I have moved back to the north country not far from Greenville, where I was born, and my birth name was Wihaast, meaning Bigfireweed in the Nisgaa language. I live near the village of Kispiox and I am currently working in Walter’s old studio.