Ed McDougall (Tlakwa-gila)

Affiliation: Kwakwaka’wakw

The name Tlakwa-gila, meaning cppermaker, was gifted to Ed McDougall during a canoe naming ceremony celebrating the launching of the first traditional canoe constructed in nearly 60 years in Alert Bay. The construction of the Big House in Alert Bay in the mid 60’s by carvers of all Kwakwaka’wakw tribes fascinated Ed and influenced his desire to learn the skills of traditional carving.

Ed began learning elements of traditional art and carving at an early age by watching his father and other carvers in Alert Bay. Ed creates tradition objects from wood and copper such as maks, paddles, coppers, totem poles, ocean-going conoes and rattles. Ed lives and works in Alert Bay and his carvings are in private collections around the world.