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Bill Reid
Creating The Raven and the First Men and Spirit of Haida Gwaii.
Skidegate pole · The Raven and the First Men
- Born
- 12 January 1920
- Birthplace
- Victoria, Canada
- Died
- 13 March 1998
More people
Bill Reid
Bill Reid was a Haida artist who worked in jewellery, carving and monumental sculpture. Reconnecting with family knowledge and historical Haida art became central to his practice.
Early life
Family heritage
His mother was Haida, and visits to Skidegate deepened his connection to that heritage.
Learning from elders
His grandfather Charles Gladstone introduced him to Haida metalwork and artistic traditions.
Career
- 1940s
Broadcasting and training
Worked in radio while developing jewellery-making skills.
- 1950s
Vancouver work
Began making and studying Haida art in British Columbia.
- 1969–1973
Montreal workshop
Established a jewellery workshop before returning to Vancouver.
Selected work
Skidegate pole
Created a heraldic pole for his mother’s village.
The Raven and the First Men
Completed the monumental carving at UBC’s Museum of Anthropology.
Spirit of Haida Gwaii
Created the bronze canoe sculpture for the Canadian embassy in Washington.
Beyond work
Broadcasting
His early radio career helped shape his distinctive public voice.
Cultural responsibility
Used his profile to support Haida cultural and environmental causes.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Bill Reid Gallery biography ↗Photo: Guilhem Vellut — photograph of a portrait displayed at the Bill Reid Gallery. Gallery photograph: CC BY 2.0; underlying portrait retains its own rights · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
