Bill Reid

Yaahl Sgwansung (The Only Raven)

Bill Reid (1920-1998) was a renowned artist who lived at a time of great transition for Indigenous artists and communities in Canada. His life and legacy have been celebrated and analyzed extensively, in text, film, audio and through the media.

Bill was an acclaimed master goldsmith, sculptor, writer, broadcaster, mentor, and community activist. He was born in Victoria, BC to a Haida mother and an American father with Scottish German roots, and only began exploring his Haida roots at the age of 23. This journey of discovery lasted a lifetime and shaped Reid’s artistic career. 

Reid became a pivotal force in building bridges between Indigenous people and other peoples. Through his mother, he was a member of the Raven clan from T'aanuu with the wolf as one of his family crests. Raven is known as a mischievous trickster, who also plays an important part in transforming the world. Many of these traits matched Bill Reid's personality. 

Bill Reid believed in encouraging younger artists to develop their skills in Northwest Coast art. Early in his career, he was given many fantastic opportunities to enhance his own artistic abilities, through his relationships with others, his work at the CBC, and community projects such as the carving project at UBC. Later, Bill often mentored artists working with him in his studio and was keen to pass on his own knowledge of jewelry making and carving. He believed in aspiring to the highest standards, and he was a tough critic. The artists who worked with Bill over the years went on to establish important careers of their own.

Through his lifetime, Bill Reid was honoured to receive three Haida names:

1954 - Iljuwas (Princely One) was given to him by Mrs. Hazel Stevens, who was also a member of the Kaadaas gaah Kiiguwaay clan of T’aanuu. Presented to him when he visited Skidegate to attend his grandfather’s funeral.

1973 - Kihlguulins (Golden Voice) - was given to him by Florence Davidson. He held this name until 1986, when she took it back. 

1986 - Yaahl Sgwansung (The Only Raven) was also given by Florence Davidson