Eagle Above Bear Holding Fish was carved by Cicero August in 1987. Cicero August is a Coast Salish carver living in Duncan and has been carving since 1956. He studied under master carver Simon Charlie for four years and then headed out on his own to develop his own Coast Salish style. His totem Eagle Above Bear Holding Fish is located just south of the Duncan Train Station in a large group of totems by Richard Hunt, Francis Horne, Simon Charlie and others.

Additional photographs of Eagle Above Bear Holding Fish can be

Continue reading Eagle Above Bear Holding Fish – Cicero August 1987

Thunderbird Above Killer Whale was carved by Harold Alfred in 1990. Harold is a Namgis artist from Alert Bay on Vamcouver Island and presently lives in Victoria, British Columbia on the island. Additional information can be found at his web site at www.haroldalfred.com.

This totem stands in Station Street Park at 79 Station Street, Duncan, British Columbia.

Additional photographs of Thunderbird Above Killer Whale can be viewed at the Thunderbird Above Killer Whale gallery.

Thunderbird Above Killer Whale - Carver: Harold Alfred 1990.

Thunderbird Above Killer Whale

2009 turned out to be a busy year for us at Cowichan Valley Photos. I was very fortunate to photograph many different events and festivals, much of the natural beauty of the area and it seems almost anything else that happened locally. The highlight of 2009 was the release of the new book The Cowichan – Duncan, Chemainus, Ladysmith and Region in late October and the book signings and interviews that go along with these projects. A hard year to top but a good challenge is needed!

2010 looks to be filled with adventure as

Continue reading 2010 and Cowichan Valley Photography Workshops

The Cowichan River is one of the more interesting rivers in southern British Columbia, both from a historical standpoint as well as a recreational view. With its source in the mountains above Cowichan Lake, the river wanders through steep canyons and open valleys, finally arriving in Cowichan Bay after a 47km run.

The mood of the river varies with the seasons and rains as was evident a couple weeks ago when we had some massive flooding in the area and the river was roaring. The other extreme is peak summer when a favourite

Continue reading The Cowichan River in Photos

Tane Hiira Pou Karanga – Te Awhio Whio – The Welcoming Spirit Of Sound Above Tane Hiira, The King Of The Cedar Forest was carved by Tupari TeWhata (Maori) of Kaikohe, New Zealand in 1986.

Tupari TeWhata is a carver in Kaikohe, New Zealand, a sister city of Duncan. Tupari came over to Duncan in 1986 to carve a Maori pole and headed back to New Zealand with a Northwest Coast pole. This Maori pole is located next to the Nha Trang Maki Sushi Restaurant at 62 Kenneth St., Duncan, British Columbia.

The plaque reads – In

Continue reading The Welcoming Spirit Of Sound Above Tane Hiira, The King Of The Cedar Forest – Tupari TeWhata

Tsonoqua, Mythological Wild Women Of The Woods (Thunderbird Above Tsonoqua)  was carved by Ned Matilpi in 1990.

Ned Matilpi is of the Ma’amtagila band and the Kwakwaka’wakw and Tlingit nations. Ned was born in 1957 in Alert Bay into the Maamtagila band on northern Vancouver Island. He began is art training in Victoria under his father, the late Oscar Matilpi Sr.

Presently Ned Matilpi lives in Alert Bay on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. 

This Totem presently stands in Station Street Park at 79 Station Street, Duncan, British Columbia.

Additional photographs of

Continue reading Tsonoqua, Mythological Wild Women Of The Woods (Thunderbird Above Tsonoqua) – Ned Matilpi 1990

Raven Holding Totem Pole Above Son Of Indian Chief Above Beaver was carved by Douglas Lafortune in 1989. This totem lies directly south of the Duncan Train Station and is one of the most impressive in the city.

Doug LaFortune is one of the best known names in west coast Native art. LaFortune was born in Bellingham, Washington in 1953 and started working as a professional artist in 1973. Douglas Lafortune was taught by the gifted carver Simon Charlie.

Additional photographs of Doug Lafortune’s Raven Holding Totem Pole Above Son

Continue reading Raven Holding Totem Pole Above Son Of Indian Chief Above Beaver – Douglas Lafortune 1989

For those that were unable to attend thanks for the emails and blog comments. You missed a good

Continue reading The Cowichan – Photo Presentation

It’s easy; browse the photography galleries and when you locate the image you want to send just click on the “Send this image as a postcard” button. The electronic postcards are sent directly to your recipient.

Cowichan Valley Electronic Postcards

Community celebrated in feast of words and pictures

by Peter Rusland – Cowichan News Leader and Pictorial Published: November 03, 2009 6:00 AM

There is life over the Malahat.

It’s chronicled in the photos and stories gracing The Cowichan, a coffee-table book by writer Georgina Montgomery and lensman Kevin Oke.

The two locals launch their 143-page work Thursday at Duncan’s Bistro 161 where valley wines will be showcased.

Vineyards are only one aspect of the Warm Land’s past and present explored in Montgomery’s research and illustrated by 150 photos by Oke

Continue reading Community celebrated in feast of words and pictures – The Cowichan