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By Henry Michell
It has been since the year 2006 that Brian Tom, 42, has been
sober and carving masks made out of cedar. It is helping him
transform his life.
Now in fact Brian is not proud of his past because of all the
charges which are too numerous to mention, but in jail he learned how
to carve, while incarcerated in the Hope, B. C. area at the Mountain
Institute.
Brian was taught to carve by some accomplished artists, by
Frank Ladue, of Whitehorse, Yukon, Lloyd Billy, of Campbell River, B.
C. and Roddy Patten, also of Vancouver Island.
Before Brian carves a mask he learned to envision a picture in
his mind, as to how he's going to carve it. Then, he proceeds to
carve the art piece into the finished product, and it takes him about
five days to carve a mask and another two days to paint the art
piece.
Brian will carve bear, beaver, and frog designs and these have
a coastal First Nation image that is so distinct. Also, he makes
traditional square rattles, with handles and traditional drums.
Currently, he's working on small masks about 5 1/2 inches by 3
1/2 inches, and these might appear hanging under the rear view mirror
of cars and trucks.
Brian has come a long ways, as he smudges himself and his
room. He calmly iterates, "It keeps me positive and helps me
think clear and straight, where I don't have to think about booze and
drugs."
He would like to leave everything in the past perspective, as
he mentions that, "I know I made a mistake and I'm not proud of
it." Furthermore, he would like to express gratitude to the
people of the Lake Babine Nation, of Burns Lake, B. C., as he says,
"I'm sorry to the Community and the band members." He
stresses that, "Everybody makes mistakes and nobody's
perfect."
Brian turned 42 in the month of May, 2008, and appreciates the
opportunity to get his life back on track and to deal with his
emotions and feelings with an attitude of gratitude. For information,
leave messages at the Prince George Activator Society @ (250)
563-5019 (C/O: Brian Tom).
Henry Michell is a member
of the Babine Nation and lives in Burns Lake, B.C., and a recent
contributor to Native Journal newspaper, Canadas First Nation and
Aboriginal news source.
PHOTO CREDIT:
Henry Michell
Picture Brian Tom artist
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