By Ian Holmes

Coast Salish art by Nanaimo family on display at Royal BC Museum

Jul 30, 2018 | 3:47 PM

NANAIMO — Creating traditional Coast Salish art truly is a family affair for the Goods, who will share their story with thousands of people in Victoria.

The Nanaimo-based family, well known for their Coast Salish carvings and textiles, are among three groups represented at the 2018 First Nation Cultural Art Showcase program at the Royal BC Museum. The public can get to know them at a Museum event this week, as well as view family created carvings and clothing. A two-week event is slated for September when more Good family works will be on display at the Royal BC Museum.

Sophia Good, who focuses on garments with her sister Aunalee Boyd-Good, said their family works together to portray the essense of Coast Salish culture.

“We often will have random ideas and then bring it to the table, then the other person will have a similar idea and we will just start doing. Often times we don’t know who’s idea it actually was.”

Their artwork and outfits are then adorned with designs made by Sophia’s brother Joel Good.

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“We’ve been working together since the moment we were created, in a sense,” Sophia said. “It’s just natural for us to work together and make sure everyone is happy with the end product.”

William Good, a renowned carver, was awarded with the 2018 Honour in Culture award by the City of Nanaimo. His son Joel, a professional carver, recently unveiled a pair of totem poles at Departure Bay Beach.

Boyd-Good said their father did widespread research of Coast Salish art to properly reflect their history and revitalize the art form.

She said having their father’s guidance has been invauable in properly reflecting the Coast Salish way of life from thousands of years ago.

“To be represented at the museum where he did some of his research is really exciting for us. To be showing a lot of the artwork that he has made and that our brother Joel has made and our garments, we’re excited to represent Nanaimo there.”

The Goods are Snuneymuxw First Nation members who were heavily involved in a First Nation’s art studio opened by William and his wife Sandra in the 1980’s.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes