'Maxwa̱la̱'og̱wa
Megan Isaac
Artist Profile: Megan Isaac ('Maxwa̱la̱'og̱wa)Megan Isaac, known by her ancestral name 'Maxwa̱la̱'og̱wa, is a proud Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw digital artist from the 'Na̱mg̱is of Alert Bay, Musg̱a̱'makw Dzawada̱'enux̱w of Kingcome Inlet, and Gilford Island, the Kwagu'ł of Fort Rupert, and the 'Nak̕waxda’x̱w of Blunden Harbour. Raised in a community deeply rooted in culture and tradition, Megan's digital artistry is deeply intertwined with her heritage, lineage, and personal journey of healing.
Megan's path as a digital artist has been shaped not only by the legacy of her family but also by her own personal healing journey. Through this process, she has discovered the messages that her ancestors and great leaders have worked so hard to share with the world. Inspired by the need for cultural revitalization, Megan has embarked on a new chapter, fusing her art with fashion.
ḴAMINA̱WADZI-GREAT-THROWING-POWER
Pewi Alfred
DOROTHY “PEWI” ALFRED is 47 years old from the ʼNa̱mg̱is First Nation from Nimpkish Valley and Alert Bay. Her traditional name is Ḵaminawadzi “Great Throwing Power”. She is renowned for her singing and dancing abilities amongst the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw.
She has been bestowed with many names, dances and songs on various sides of her noble ancestry.
Her father Wayne Alfred and brother Marcus Alfred are master carvers and renowned traditional dancers, from the ʼNa̱mg̱is tribe. Her mother is Brenda nee Smith from the noble Smith and Speck families of Ławit̕sis First Nation- Turnour Island. Pewi has been initiated into one of the highest dance orders called Hiligax̱ʼste’, the female attendant of the most sacred Hamat̕sa Society.
Pewi is one of the driving forces at teaching and passing down of dances, songs, and kwak̓wala language to the next generations at the village of Alert Bay. She is also an accomplished artist and the proud Mother of her 21 year old son Michael Johnathan Wayne Moon Jr.
G̱ilakasda’x̱w’la
Eugene Isaac
Eugene Isaac is a proud member of the ‘Namgis First Nation, part of the Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwak̕wala-speaking peoples). Through his grandmother Dorothy (née Nowell), Eugene also carries ancestral ties to the Kwixa Kwagu’ł, the second tribe of Fort Rupert.
His first formal training began in the early 1970s when master carver Beau Dick offered an art course at his school. This mentorship would prove foundational, as Eugene would later apprentice with both Beau Dick and Wayne Alfred—two artists who would become close friends and lifelong influences.
He considers his work a vital part of maintaining and revitalizing Kwakwaka’wakw traditions. In his words, "Artists are a very important part of what keeps our culture alive and thriving in these ever-changing times. We are warriors in our own right because we are protecting and fighting for our culture through our art."