Artist's totems entertain, teach

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Vancouver Island carver and painter Charles Elliott began his career as an artist when he was a child, carving miniature canoes for his friends and family.

Now he is as well known in his Tsartslip Reserve community as he is on the mainland. His work includes several notable totem poles, including one at the University

of Victoria's Elliott Building depicting the history of the area, and various works at the Tsartslip Tribal School. He paints drums, sketches and recently, along with two other artists, designed the baton for the 1994 Commonwealth Games, to be held in Victoria.

The carved wood will be cast in silver and travel to all of the Commonwealth countries. At one point, several years ago, he was even commissioned by a history

teacher to carve a 15th century historical English scene.

As we met at the door of his home-turned-studio, I was struck by his unusual looks and patient, serene manner. We descended into his basement studio and he explained : "This is where I work - drawing, painting..." He pointed to the nearby washing machine, his eyes mischievous - "laundry, you name it."

The studio was not in a basement at all, but at ground level, with occasional expansive glimpses of the Pacific Ocean shining through the trees. An immense cedar

log lay the length of the house, waiting patiently for the artist's next commission.

"Red cedars had many uses in the lives of my ancestors. From it were made tipis, canoes, masks, houses, medicines, clothing, rope, twine. It was the 'Sacred Tree,' provider and giver of life. Now we can't get good trees around here. I have to get them from central or northern Vancouver Island. It's heartbreaking, not having the cedar to work with. Now we have to be lucky, know which strings to pull to get a decent-size log."

Inside, the working area contains various artist's tools, with carved wooden handles set with abalone shells. Several partially completed carvings of animals sit quietly on shelves. Beyond the studio is another room with more of the artist's work.

Two small totems, about six feet high, catch my eye.

"Those small totems were used as house posts. They held up the beams. Takes about a month to do one. The figures on the totems are separate but connected, reflecting the Native teaching that 'all things are one'. The raven, beaver, eagle and frog are meant to entertain, hold your attention and teach - children as well as adults. Often other tribes of different areas share similar meanings or lesson.

"It's very sad that so much has been stolen from us, so much has been lost. As an artist, you have time to think, you're not working for the system. When you are, you don't have time to think about what you're doing."

Our visit ended and as I drove away, I remembered something Charles Elliott had said: "I carved all my life and I'll carve 'til I can't see no more."

I thought about the red cedar log and looked forward to the lessons and knowledge that it would soon teach.