For those interested in using "authentic" native designs from the Pacific Northwest in their projects, consider getting in touch with Tom Sewid on Village Island, British Columbia. A bunch of us just got back from a kayak trip in the Johnstone Strait area where we were happy to have met with Tom. I learned more about the local history and cultural traditions in an hour with Tom than in all my previous days. Tom is a trained archeologist and is doing a great deal to educate and inform the world about his culture. The fact that he is a great story teller helps. He is clearly passionate about what he is doing. While we were there Tom expressed a desire to paint his designs on a wood kayak or canoe. He seems open to discussing designs for any purpose. If you want authentic or one-of-a-kind designs that are appropriate for their use, this seems like a source worth checking out. I'm sure he wants something for his work, so if you want free or cheap, this may not be it. The man has to make a living and he has my respect for his unique entrepreneurial efforts. Living where he does with a short season, he is trying several nontraditional means of support while still trying to maintain important parts of the old ways. The kayak community benefits from his efforts and the campsites he maintains for us. He has a website at http://www.villageisland.com/. His email address can be found on his website. A sample of his designs are shown below.

Pictures of the trip will be posted on my website one of these days

Ted