Carving a Nuu Chah Nulth Style Mask - Steve Brown

Steve Brown & Makah tyle Mask

Nuu Chah Nulth is a relatively new name for a group of First People's tribes who lived along the west coast of Vancouver Island and on the very North West of the Olympic Peninsula - the Makah. This grouping was formerly known as Nootkan - which name Steve believes is based on a misunderstanding by Captain James Cook.

Steve worked with the Makah People on the excavation at the buried village at Lake Ozette and the recreation of traditional canoes. In the picture above he is holding a picture of a Makah mask for which he carved a replica. The replica continues to be used in ceremonies while the original is carefully preserved.

This weekend Steve is teaching a class in mask carving at the Port Townsend School of Woodworking. Many of the students are using adzes and bent knives they made in Steve's tool making class in March 2011.