Shark Bath Toy by Todd Stephens

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

Todd Stephens (Hlgu Sk’an Milksim Ts’im Aks)

Todd Stephens is a distinguished Nisga'a artist born in 1988 in Gitlaxdax (Terrace, British Columbia). He belongs to the House of Gitlaxaylibit of Sim’oogit Siispaguut and Sim’oogit Ni’isyuus of the Killerwhale Tribe. His Nisga'a name, Hlgu Sk’an Milksim Ts’im Aks, was gifted to him by his maternal great-grandmother, anchoring his work in deep-rooted family traditions.

Stephens is celebrated for his mastery of Northwest Coast art, particularly his ability to blend traditional formline design with a modern, personal sensibility. His work is characterized by:

• Technical Precision: A sophisticated use of traditional elements like the Nisga'a T-shape and varied formline thicknesses that range from bold strokes to delicate tapestries.

• Cultural Narrative: His paintings, such as "Txeesim’s Escape" and "Jorga and I," often explore identity, heritage, and the oral histories of the Nisga'a people.

• Versatility: While he is an accomplished painter and designer, his portfolio includes carvings, ceremonial regalia (such as hummingbird headdresses), and contemporary items like puzzles and apparel that make Indigenous art accessible to a broader audience.

A graduate of the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art (2009), Stephens has been recognized twice with the YVR Art Foundation Scholarship Award. Today, his work is featured in galleries and through collaborations with organizations like Native Northwest, continuing a legacy of storytelling through visual art.