Seagull Greeting Card by Dwayne Simeon

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

Dwayne Simeon is a Kwakwaka'wakw Master Carver of authentic, traditional, museum-quality Northwest Coast Indigenous art, born in Campbell River, British Columbia, in 1960. His heritage includes Ligwilda'xw (Cape Mudge) Haida and Squamish.

Simeon began his artistic journey with painting in 1974 and started experimenting with carving as a teenager. He apprenticed under renowned artists such as Tony Hunt, John Livingston, and Calvin Hunt, learning the art of carving. In 1981, he furthered his skills in jewellery-making at the Vancouver Vocational Institute and studied silkscreen production with Philip Oppenheimer at the Vancouver Indian Centre.

Throughout his career, Simeon has dedicated himself to increasing cultural awareness through his art. He has taught woodcarving and design courses in Vancouver and participated in the Artist In Residence program during the "Down from the Shimmering Sky" exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery. He also performed carving demonstrations at Expo '86 and has been a guest lecturer on Native American aesthetics at Muhlenberg University in Pennsylvania.

Simeon works in Kwakwaka'wakw, Haida, and Bella Coola styles, reflecting his extensive study of these designs and their histories. His artwork, which includes woodcarvings, paintings, and jewellery, can be found in numerous museums, galleries, and private collections across Canada and the United States. He is particularly known for his colourful and traditional Kwakwaka'wakw masks.