Norman Tait

Early life and family

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Tait's father Josiah was a chief in the wolf clan.[1]

Career

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In 1973, Tait worked at the Centennial Museum in Vancouver.[1] He carved masks, bowls, totems and rattles.[1]

In 1973, Tait and his father carved Heritage Totem, a 36 feet (11 m) pole for erection at Port Edward, British Columbia.[1] The pole features carvings of an eagle, a raven, a halibut fisherman, a killer whale, a grizzly bear, a salmon fisherman and a beaver.[1] It was created to honour the Nisga'a, the Tsimshian, the Haida and the Gitxsan.[1] The pole was raised on 1 July 1973.[1]

In 1975, Tait began working with the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology to restore the Eagle-Halibut totem pole (also known as the Laa'i pole).[2] Originally carved by Oyai Tait in the nineteenth century, it was erected in the village of Gwunwawq near the Nass River.[2] It was purchased by the university in 1947, but remained in storage until a suitable exhibition space was created.[2] Tait's restoration of the pole took eight months and it was unveiled on 14 September 1976.[2]

On 1 November 1977, the Museum of Anthropology began an exhibition showing Tait's work.[3] It was the first major exhibition of his work and showcased a range of masks, bowls, rattles, jewellery and silkscreen prints created by Tait. It ran until 31 January 1978.[4]

In November 1977, Tait began work on carving a new 16 feet (4.9 m) cedar pole.[5]

Personal life

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Tait had a son called Isaac and a daughter named Valerie.[6]

Personal life

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Totem represents all Indians". The Vancouver Sun. 11 June 1973. p. 33. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Ancient totem reassembled for anthropological museum". The Vancouver Sun. 15 September 1976. p. 7. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Children's World". The Vancouver Sun. 3 November 1977. p. B5. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  4. ^ Edmonstone, Wayne (17 December 1977). "Turning special attention on a Nishga carver and artist". The Vancouver Sun. p. C3. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  5. ^ "CALLboard". The Vancouver Sun. 25 November 1977. p. B3. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Norman Tait". The Vancouver Sun. 14 November 1977. p. B3. Retrieved 15 October 2023.