Walter Harris (artist)

Walter Harris (June 10, 1931 – January 12, 2009) is a Canadian artist and hereditary chief from the Gitxsan (Gitksan) First Nation in northwestern British Columbia.

He studied Northwest Coast art styles at the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art ('Ksan) at Hazelton, B.C., in Gitxsan territory, studying under Duane Pasco and Doug Cranmer. His materials include silver, gold, metal, limestone, silk screen graphics and wood.

He carved totem poles for his home village of Kispiox in 1971, 1972, and 1978, Ottawa, Paris, Japan, Vancouver, to name a few.

Awards in recognition for Walter's contribution to First Nations art in Canada. In 2003, Governor General's Award for Visual and Media Arts. September 2005, Walter Harris was given the Order of Canada as an Officer

Sources

• Macnair, Peter L., Alan L. Hoover, and Kevin Neary (1984) The Legacy: Tradition and Innovation in Northwest Coast Indian Art. Vancouver, B.C.: Douglas & McIntyre.

• Stewart, Hilary (1993). Looking at Totem Poles. Seattle: University of Washington Press. ISBN 0-295-97259-9.

Three Rivers Report dated Wednesday January 21, 2009 has a full colour memorial to Walter Harris O.C. "Geel" stating he died January 12, 2009 at 4:24 in the morning quickly and quietly.