WHO WE ARE
Ken and Gina's work with red cedar bark follows the highly cultural importance of the Red Cedar Tree to BC's First Nations Peoples. In that the tree supplied modes of travel, shelter, clothing, poles, personal items for every day life and also regalia, masks and other sacred items important and linked to the First Nations Peoples belief that all life is a balanced connection of spirits.
Together, their aim is to share history of family; pass down their culture, wisdom, language and traditions to youth; to teach about cedar to all people and continue to work within their community.
Together, their aim is to share history of family; pass down their culture, wisdom, language and traditions to youth; to teach about cedar to all people and continue to work within their community.
Kenneth F. Cooper
Kenneth Frank Cooper born of First Nations Nuxalk Territory and Scottish parents in Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada. Named "Kluquachee" (meaning: representing the rising plume of water caused by the dropping of a large object (rock) into a body of water), by Nuxalk grandfather Johnny Hans. Employed in the forest sector of BC's economy since 1968, Ken lived in various BC towns following work until moving to Campbell River, BC where and and Gina Hunt (Wa Dzi Di) met, married and settled together. Ken and Gina were taught by Gina's cousin, Leonard Williams, a venerated cedar bark weaver, the fine art of harvesting and weaving red cedar inner bark into many items desired by peoples from all walks of life. |
Georgina (Gina) Alexandra Hunt
Georgina (Wa Dzi Di) Alexandra Hunt, for the purpose of this biography, Georgina will be acknowledge as Wa Dzi Di meaning "Gifted One". Wa Dzi Di was born in Port Alice, British Columbia, Canada March 2, 1956. Wa Dzi Di parents are Hazel Hunt (nee Wilson) from Kwakuitl First Nations, Father was Samual Peters, Tlatlasikwala First Nations. Wa Dzi Di is the eldest of 8 sibling. Raised in Taxit (Fort Rupert), British Columbia, Canada until the age of 7, moved to Vancouver, BC with her Mom and siblings. At age 19, Wa Dzi Di moved back to the north Vancouver Island. Wa Dzi Di raised 3 daughters and 2 grandsons plus numerous foster children. Work and Education: Masters Degree - Neurolinguistic and Time Line Therapy Counselling Tillicum House, Nanaimo, BC Salisan Institue, Naramata, BC Education Counsellor, Drug & Alcohol Counsellor. First Nations Support Worker in elementary schools (SD # 85). First Nations Support Worker in high school (SD #85). Coordinator for First Nations Homelessness program. Traditional Food Study surey for local Band Wa Dzi Di sits on numerous Committies and Boards: Umista Cultural Center (Board Member) Rediscovery Youth Camp (Board Memer) Restorative Justice (Board Member) Tri Band Education Community Member ASD Camp Volunteer RCMP Cultural Camp Volunteer BC Womans Centre for Excellence Community Member Today you will find Wa Dzi Di as part of the Sasamans Elders Group, working at the John Howard Society/Foundry as an Elder in Residence and teaching cedar work/art to youth within the public schools. Wa Dzi Di, along with her partner in life and all things creative, makes cedar item kits for organizations such as NIVIATS and teaches cedar classes (see Cedar Classes) |