Unmasking heritage: A cultural shift is underway on British Columbia’s North Coast, where Indigenous women are reclaiming space in the traditional art of wood carving—an area historically dominated by men.
From Haida Gwaii to Kitimat, women from coastal First Nations, including the Haida, Tsimshian, and Haisla, are picking up carving tools to create masks, totem poles, and ceremonial pieces that honour their heritage and challenge outdated gender roles.
“Carving was once seen strictly as a man’s role,” said Haisla-Nuxalk artist Nakkita Trimble. “But these stories belong to all of us. Women are stepping in to tell them in our way.”
Institutions like the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art in Terrace have played a vital role in this resurgence, offering formal training and mentorship to a new generation of women carvers.
Earlier this summer, Prince Rupert unveiled its first totem pole carved primarily by women—marking a significant moment in the region’s cultural landscape.
While many female artists still face barriers, including limited access to tools and resources, their presence is growing. Their work is not only preserving traditional art forms but also reshaping the cultural narrative.
“Unmasking heritage means lifting the layers of silence,” said Trimble. “And carving is one of the most powerful ways we’re doing that.”