Hereditary chief recognized for artistic achievement

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Walter Harris, a hereditary Gitxsan chief, is one of seven who will receive this year's Governor General's Award in visual and media arts.

Harris, now 72, was born and raised in the Kispiox area. He worked as a miner, sawmill owner and operator, carpenter and commercial fisherman before he enrolled in the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art in 1969. Later he worked there as a senior art instructor.

Harris is primarily known for his wood carvings. But he has also made stone carvings, gold and silver jewelry, totem poles, housefront paintings and masks.

The doors of the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver are one of his major pieces. His carvings also enhance the area above the doors in the House of Commons in Ottawa. His totem poles are set in Baltimore, Md., San Francisco, Calif. and Rochester, N.Y.

The jury for the award said Harris' "commitment to the traditions and symbolism of an ancient art has ensured him a place of honor among future generations."

In 1987, Harris survived a stroke, and since that time he's asked his son Rodney to speak on his behalf. Rodney Harris said, "They just phoned us up out of the blue.

"It was almost hard to believe, but we are pretty happy and excited about it."

Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson and Canada Council Chairman Jean-Louis Roux will present the award to Harris at a ceremony at Rideau Hall on March 17.

The annual awards, funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, were established in the summer of 1999 and were presented in March 2000 for the first time. They recognize the remarkable career achievements and outstanding contributions in the visual and media arts. Each laureate will receive $15,000 and an original art piece created by AA Bronson, who is last year's winner. The award winners are chosen by an independent peer jury of art professionals.

On March 18, the National Gallery of Canada will open an exhibition of this year's winners' work. Three pieces of Harris' will be displayed: the Killer Whale Headdress, the Sun Mask and the Eagle Woman Mask.