Quentin Harris (Salish)
First Nations Artist, Carver, Teacher
Click here for Welcoming Pole project as featured nationally on CBC TV.
Video link via Drop Box: https://www.dropbox.com/l/hCajZI9vR2PggaIh4UekNq
I have extensive experience teaching First Nations Art in the classroom. Currently, I work as a First Nations Artist/Cultural Advisor for School District #64 on Salt Spring Island. I have taught in classrooms across B.C. and led a variety of community based projects such as creating welcoming poles and murals in which thousands of students have participated in.
This is a full-sized mural painted with all the student's help at Fernwood Elementary.
Carving became a district wide passion. Yennadon Elementary was one school that embraced the carving of their own totem pole. Here you can see the hollowing out of the backside of pole to ensure an even drying process. Students enjoyed coming to outdoor courtyard during lunch or recess to carve.
As the popularity of carving grew, we developed an after school carving club. Members knew the sign-in procedure with ID tags, goggles and tool safety. The pole has now been completed.
Doug Morrison and myself completed this magnificent mural with the help of hundreds of students and members of the community in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. The mural is a legacy on display in the Pitt Meadows Municipal Hall.
Using only a box of crayons and a large sheet of paper I can draw any native design that teachers may want to tie into current studies. Here, I am drawing step-by-step a killerwhale for all students to follow along.
As the community based carving projects grew in popularity - we (the Aboriginal Education Department of SD42) felt we could carve a project for our very own District Office. Here an eagle, with a raven and moon flanking each side.
A welcoming pole carved by all students at Edith McDermott, spearheaded by myself. Overall design was consulted with the neighbouring Katzie First Nations.
Made of 6 large panels, this mural has been carved by hundreds of Aboriginal students and members of the local community. On permanent display in the Maple Ridge Library.
I would draw an outline of a whale and salmon mural - and explain the need for environmental need of balance and conservation. Meanwhile numerous students painted the design a variety of colours - making it a true team based project.