Qwayaciiq (Hutch) Sam

• Nuu-chah-nulth

Qwayaciiq Sam is Ahousaht, which is part of the Nuu-chah-nulth nation, and located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Qwayaciiq has competed his Bachelor of Arts at Emily Carr Asst and Design University on Vancouver Island.

Qwayaciiq’s father Stanley Sam is a former life long fisher a carver, a Historian and storyteller, and speaker for the Chiefs of the Wolf Clan of Ahousaht. A privilege passed on from his grandfathers for more then 10 generations and Stanley publicly passed on his role of Tuuq-sii-tii Qwayaciiq (Head Wolf) to his son Qwayaciiq to be the next speaker for 2 Ahousaht Chiefs, A-inchut (Shawn Atleo) and Ha-upinulth (Bill Keitlah).
His Mother, Katie Sam, also very talented in making traditional shawls, beadwork, drum making and preparation of the seasonal traditional foods. Many gifts of creativity she has passed on to her children. Qwayaciiq feels very fortunate to have grown up immersed in the richness of his culture and he participates as a singer and dancer. His family ties and connections with his people are very strong in his life.

Qwayaciiq began making drums in 1986 for ceremonial purposes, and in 1987 was commissioned to make drums for Bill Reid, Robertson Davies, and Roy Vickers.

In 1990 he was commissioned to make drums for the Inuit Gallery in Vancouver for a Drum Exhibit. Qwayaciiq was interviewed by BCTV when they visited Ahousaht to shoot footage for a documentary on the making of drums and their importance in cultural ceremonies.

Qwayaciiq is an accomplished painter and carver; his carving career began under the tutelage of Patrick Amos in 1991-1992. In 1997 Qwayaciiq and a number of other artists, assisted Patrick in carving a totem pole for the Alberni District Secondary School, as well as designing and completing a mural for the Hahopayuk School in Port Alberni, BC.

Qwaya's work can be found in different collections and galleries on the West and East Coast of Canada. Some of his paddles have gone to Africa to the World AIDS Conference 2002, and presented to Swahili Chiefs, in
honour and acknowledgement of the Conference. Other presentations include presentations to senators from Hawaii and Alaska, and to private collectors in Canada.

His masks all have their own spirit, and bring with them generations of teachings, stories, and a wealth of culture from the Nuuchahnulth Territory. Qwayaciiq prefers to work with alder for its unique texture and his carvings often express his own spiritual journey and connection to the sacred rituals of his people. His spirit masks posses an element of gentleness that makes them truly unique. Qwaya currently resides in Campbell River.