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Bill Reid

1979 27 min
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British Columbian Haida artist Bill Reid, jeweller and wood carver, works on a totem pole in the Haida tradition. The film shows the gradual transformation of a bare cedar trunk into a richly carved pole, a gift from the artist to the people of Skidegate on Haida Gwaii (formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands). Particularly moving is the raising of the pole by the villagers, as Bill Reid stands by.

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Bill Reid

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British Columbian Haida artist Bill Reid, jeweller and wood carver, works on a totem pole in the Haida tradition. The film shows the gradual transformation of a bare cedar trunk into a richly carved pole, a gift from the artist to the people of Skidegate on Haida Gwaii (formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands). Particularly moving is the raising of the pole by the villagers, as Bill Reid stands by.

  • director
    Jack Long
  • producer
    Penni Jacques
    George Johnson
  • executive producer
    John Taylor
  • camera
    Jack Long
    David Geddes
    Rudy Pentisch
  • sound
    Richard Patton
    Robert Young
  • editing
    George Johnson
  • sound editing
    John Knight
  • re-recording
    Barry P. Jones
  • animation
    Svend-Erik Eriksen
  • music
    Fred Stride
    Dave Robbins

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Education

Ages 12 to 17
School subjects

Students could research a history of the Haida in British Columbia, especially the art of carving totem poles from the cedars. What do these poles represent for the Haida people? Consider the skills that are involved in making woodcarvings, especially something of this magnitude. Does the fact that the carver uses electrical tools diminish the authenticity of his work?

Bill Reid
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