First Nations Masks

The dramatic struggle for cultural survival continues in aboriginal communities of British Columbia, on the West Coast of Canada. When the colonizing forces of development arrived by sea and land, they threatened the languages, cultures, crafts and spirituality of First Nations peoples in their traditional territories. In different ways, First Nations peoples still experience these pressures today. The masks from this area reflect this situation.  

Reg Davidson, an expert Haida carver, explains in detail how he goes about making a mask. The work of Davidson and other professional Haida carvers are fine interpretations  of ancestral myths featuring animals and birds, and they’re found today in top galleries and museums. They show that First Nations people have retained something of their culture and spirituality.

Close knit indigenous communities like the Haida passed down mask making skills across generations. Many young Haida people try their hands at mask making, and then move on. But other First Nations from across Canada are also influencing West Coast carvers. As a result, interesting masks of mixed styles and quality are bought locally by collectors like Dahl, and the reader can compare them with other masks of the world in this book.