Chris Cook
Heritage: Kwakwaka'wakw
Chris Cook was born into the Namgis tribe of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation in Alert Bay, British Columbia in 1971. Chris was given the name "Xusamdas" during his father’s first potlatch in 1975 when he was initiated into the Hamatsa Secret Society. Chris remained in Alert Bay until he was 18 years old, surrounded by a strong and powerful traditional family.
Chris was an avid sketch artist in his youth, and in 1998 he completed an undergraduate in History at the University of Victoria. He took a beginner silversmithing course at Camosun College which helped lead him into Jewellery making. His initial encouragement came from Fran Dick and he was further influenced by Tahltan artist Terrence Campbell and Kwaguilth artist Harold Alfred.
The result is blend of traditional Kwaguilth design with refined metalworking skills in a unique style of Jewellery.
Chris has travelled internationally with Kwaguilth dance groups, lectured at the university level about his culture and heritage, and shared his knowledge of his people’s spirituality with many people both native and non-native. Chris has plans to continue his academic education at the graduate and doctorate levels but is currently affirming his native heritage by creating art and Jewellery with Kwaguilth themes.
Alvin Adkins
Ashevak Adla
Etidloie Adla
Tim Alfred
Harold Alfred
Burton Amos
Patrick Amos
Trevor Angus
Napatchie Ashoona
Ottokie Ashoona
Cii Ashoona
Morgan Asoyuf
Noo Atsiaq
Marvin Baker
Todd Baker
Yul Baker
Fred Baker
Hollie Bear Bartlett
Troy Bellerose
Norman Bentley
Bruce Bird
Clifford Bolton
Jesse Brillon
Jody Broomfield
Charles Brown
Noel Brown
Corey Bulpitt
Ralph Burgess
Terrence Campbell
Kelly Cannell
Jim Charlie
Rande Cook
William Cook
Ryan Cranmer
Walter Davidson
Sammy Dawson
Andrew Dexel
Beau Dick
Pat Dixon
Corey Douglas
Gwaai Edenshaw
Blossom Edgar
Alano Edzerza
Tom Eneas
Mike Epp
Etulu Etidloie
Danny Etoangat
Andy Everson
Ada Eyetoaq
Vincent Fairleigh
Michael Forbes
Peter Gong
David J. Gonzales
Phillip Gray
Landon Gunn
Victoria Harper
Jim Hart
Ross Henderson
Sabina Hill
Doug Horne Jr
Doug Horne
Francis Horne
Terry Horne
Ben Houstie
Bradley Hunt
Dean Hunt
Stan Hunt
Corrine Hunt
Trevor Husband
Jomie Ipeelie
Shain Jackson
Phil Janze
Noah Jaw
Betty Denis Joe
Harvey John
Roger Johnnie
Maynard Johnny
Tyrone Joseph
Delmar Joseph
Noah Kelly
Jarrett Kitekudlak
Irene Klar
Klatle-bhi
Rodney Kolausok
Claude LaRock
Corey Larocque
lessLIE
Jacob Lewis
Mosesie Lewis
Ken Loo
Valerie Malesku
Sii Manning
Carrie Matilpi
Jim McGuire
Pat McGuire
Sandi McKay
James Michels
Clarence Mills
Howard Moose
Corey Moraes
Mitchell Morrison
Daniel Morsette
David Neel
Jason Noel
Nokomis
Isaac Ocutaq
David Oldfield
Johnny Papigatok
Nuna Parr
Noah Parr
Jeff Pat
Gilbert Pat
Tom Patterson
Chris Paul
Grant Pauls
Tim Pee
Kooyoo Peter
Susan Point
Dennis Pollard
Johnny Pootoogok
Cee Pootoogook
Joshua Prescott
Mark Preston
Adamie Qiatsuk
Sam Qiatsuk
Pitseolak Qimirpik
Adam Quints
David Quist
Mark Redsky
Simon Reece
Ian Reid
Bill Reid
Alexander Clifton Ridley
Justin Rivard
Alfred Robertson
Kelvin Robinson
Ottokie Samayualie
Wilfred Sampson
Derald Scoular
Ray Scow
Rupert Scow
Gino Seward
Axangayuk Shaa
Pudlalik Shaa
Napatchie Sharky
Dorothy Shephard
Allen Sheupiapik
Richard Shorty
Jay Simeon
Abe Simionie
Russell Smith
Steve Smith
Rod Smith
John Spence
Brad Starr
Terry Starr
Randy Stiglitz
George Stokes
Morris Sutherland
Ernest Swanson
Marvin Tallio
Jean Taylor
Ekid Teevee
Dylan Thomas
Ivan Thomas
Allen Thompson
Kelvin Thompson
Lucy Tikiq Tunguak
Sam Toonoo
Jackie Traverse
Sonia Triebwasser
Ashevak Tunnillie
Mathew Tunnillie
Nujellia Tunnillie
Mary Tutsuitok
William Wasden
Victor Michael West
Karla West
April White
Dion Williams
Jack Willoughby
Barry Wilson
Derek Wilson
Joe R. Wilson
Gary Wilson
Jim Yelton