TOTE BAG JUTE HUMMINGBIRD

Jute bag with Bill Helin Hummingbird design. Turquoise. 14" x 16"

Bill Helin – WeLaaxumYout, Tsimshian Nation. Bill was born in Prince Rupert B.C. Canada in October of 1960. His Mother is Norwegian and his late Father Arthur was a Tsimshian Chief by the name of Hyemass.

Bill has had a very rewarding career as a designer, creative gold and platinum engraver, painter, woodcarver, book illustrator and writer.

His designing abilities in art and fashion follow his Tsimshian Indian traditions, telling stories and displaying native `Life Crests` that transform and come to life in every beautiful creation. In 1996 Bill took a break from the fashion and jewelry business to focus on his designing, writing and illustrating of children mythology stories. This new creative journey has brought him into the animation world and soon will bring his stories to life in 3-D computer generated movies.

“My tribe is the Gitsees, who originally settled around the entrance of the great Skeena River. Like my father I was a fisherman till 1979 when an accident on my fish boat steered me in the direction of my art career, which began at the K’san Indian Art School in Hazelton B.C. in 1982.”

“I am very blessed to have my heritage as a big part of my career, for it has taught me great respect for my ancestors and all the aboriginal cultures of the world. My creative quest is to pass on what I’ve learned to our children, which we have six, and to our future generations so that they too will have respect for their ancestors.”