Eco Spirit Healing Bracelet by Dylan Thomas

NATIVE NORTHWEST ART BY INDIGENOUS ARTISTS

Statement of Respect and Authenticity

We believe that Indigenous artists should be treated fairly and with respect. Authenticity of art, design, and culture is the foundation of our mission of building everyday connection to Indigenous cultures.

Native Northwest products are guided by the following five principles:

• 100% of the art featured on every Native Northwest product is designed by Indigenous artists

• All artists have provided consent and contractual permission for their art to be featured on Native Northwest products

• Artist names are acknowledged on all product packaging

• Cultural traditions are honoured by acknowledging cultural affiliation on product packaging

• Artists are paid in fees and royalties

Qwul'thilum Dylan Thomas is a contemporary Coast Salish artist born in Victoria, British Columbia, in 1986. He is a member of the Lyackson First Nation of Valdes Island, with additional Songhees, Squamish, and Snuneymuxw heritage.

Exposed to Coast Salish art at a young age through his culturally active family, Thomas developed a passion for the art form. He trained in jewellery techniques with the late Seletze (Delmar Johnnie) and apprenticed under renowned Kwakwaka'wakw artist Rande Cook, learning various mediums of Northwest Coast art including wood carving, painting, and jewellery. His work is also influenced by artists such as Susan Point, Robert Davidson, and the late Art Thompson.

Thomas is known for his distinctive style that blends traditional Salish design elements with influences from global geometric art traditions, including Vajrayana Buddhist mandalas, Celtic knots, and Islamic tessellations. His artwork often features circular forms and complex interplay between positive and negative space, referencing Coast Salish spindle whorls.

His work has been exhibited widely, including a solo exhibition titled "Sacred Geometry" in 2016. He was also selected as the Indigenous Artist in Residence for the City of Victoria from 2019 to 2021, aiming to honour local Indigenous people through his creations. Thomas has also shared his knowledge as an Indigenous Scholar, teaching visual art, math, and humanities.