Eagle Pendant by Wayne Thomas, Interior Salish

Eagle Totem Pendant
by Wayne Thomas, Interior Salish
sterling silver, copper
2” long 1” wide x .5" deep

Wayne Thomas was born in Cranbrook BC in 1974. His father was Ojibwa and his mother, Interior Salish--Shushwap Band. Wayne moved to Mayne Island when he was 5 years old. He went to High School in Victoria and realized his talent for art work under the tutelage of Victor Newman, Native Art Teacher at Central and Victoria High Schools. In 1990, the Native Indian Education Division of the Victoria School District presented Wayne with the coveted Chief Henry Hunt Award.

He worked with Victoria Carver, Ike Charlie, who taught Wayne to carve in the Nuu-Chah-Nulth style. Wayne has had the opportunity to carve with several master carvers. He received warm encouragement from Roy Henry Vickers.

Blending traditional and contemporary motifs, Wayne's carvings are a huge attraction when visiting Mayne Island. His son, Eric, and daughter, Shania, are also applying their hands to the family craft. Recently, Wayne constructed a complex lantern sculpture to honour the numerous children found buried in Residential Schools throughout Canada, which was displayed at the Victoria Art Gallery for several days in memoriam.

Wayne works in wood and in silver. He has exhibited his work in galleries in the Gulf Islands and in Victoria. His works have travelled to many parts of Canada and to other countries such as Australia, Germany, Japan and Ireland.