Old Massett carver and artist Ernest Yeltatzie, also known as Ernest Giinowiin Skillaw Edenso Swanson Yeltatzie, has been honoured with a Vancouver Arts Award as an emerging young artist.
Mr. Yeltatzie, 24, was chosen to receive the award by Robert Davidson. "I am pretty excited to see his commitment to the art," Mr. Davidson said. "He's very eager and working hard to learn."
The award is worth $5,000, and the cheque was presented to Mr. Yeltatzie at a gala awards ceremony in Vancouver last weekend.
"I still don't believe (it) until I cash the cheque", Mr. Yeltatzie told the Observer. "I am very humbled about it. It is quite shocking."
Mr. Yeltatzie is passionate about Haida culture and calls upon members of the Haida nation "to know that a leader is led by the heart, not the brain; to sing as if no one is listening and to dance as if no one is watching; to follow your heart to catch your dreams; to live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever. This is the beginning of our life together as the Haida Nation. Know what you are to do in your heart".
The Vancouver Arts Awards are held each year.