EMERGING ARTIST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT, 2024
My name is James Joseph Kwaksistala, son of Henry Kwaksistala from the kwakwaka’wakw weiwaikum people, part of the first generation that was liberated from the residential school system.
My mothers name is Yvonne Kubova from Czech Republic, Prague.
She immigrated to Canada with her family as a young girl to escape from the communist government of the time. This is who I come from. This is who I am.
I started carving and learning about my culture around October of 2022 , by my uncle Rob Kwaksistala during a spring break in grade 12. Then I moved up to Campbell river to learn with the master carver Bill Henderson , and Junior Henderson, Greg Henderson, and Cole Speck. Prior I had lived in Vancouver. And had done my schooling at Richmond Christian high school. I currently I am still living in Campbell, learning from the masters.
