Yaw Smatmcuks Nts Lha Anuximana wiclhh wa tcamatlhts alh Nuxalk, Kw’alhnamcts its’ik tuu.

I carry an ancient name, stretching back thousands of years to the end of the last ice age. The world was dark, the land frozen locked in ice. The Earth continued to quake and shake, the people were in a state of suffering. We call this Nutscwaltwa; the dark time. Then from this qwaxw (raven) came, born from the fire of heaven. Guided to the upper world where through Sximana, was born in the creator’s house and there he freed the light, illuminating the world and allowing us human beings to move into the next phase of our existence. My name reflects on this ancient history. The woman that brings the light. Our names hold deep history and meaning, stemming from our smayusta (origin stories). During our lives we build our names up for the generations to come, and to hold our legacy within our smayusta. 

I descend from the Nuxalk and Kwaguʼł Nations and I was raised back and forth from Bella Coola to Port Hardy, BC. I am inspired daily by our grandmothers and grandfathers work. The ancestors' work inspires me to walk the path they lead for us. My pieces hold a deeper meaning within each stroke of paint and all of the varying colours. I create my pieces while honouring my Nuxalk heritage and the experiences that are unique to my people.

In April 2020 I successfully completed my First Nations Fine Arts Diploma at the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art in Terrace, BC, following the path of many Nuxalkmc artists before me. I have received the YVR Emerging Artist grant to work alongside master carver Dempsey Bob and am currently working on other projects that inspire me.

If you are interested in commissioned work please reach out to check for availability