About Joseph Hillaire

Master Carver from Lummi, Washington (1894–1967)

Joseph Hillaire, or Kwul-kwul tw', started carving at the age of 12, and carved everything from masks to totems, canoes, and boxes. He believed that in order to make a totem pole, you must let the trees speak to you, as they will tell you what should be carved with them, and if you listen to the tree it will turn out right. He also carried out on planting another tree before felling the first one as a sign to the spirits that he will not let this tree go to waste (Hillaire 2013). After he is done, he takes it back to his shop to carve it into shape, where the story will start to take form. 

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