Our Home,

2018

Carved from a block of red cedar—revered as the tree of life in Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw cosmology and central to family dwellings—this work by Rande Cook features curvilinear motifs that echo Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw crest imagery. Its bands of red and white evoke the color fields of postwar abstraction, such as the Rothko painting at right, as well as the palette of the Canadian flag. Addressing “the troubling past Canada has imposed upon its Indigenous communities,” Cook writes, “this work is a testament to tradition and the repercussions of industrial exploitation.” In response to the near-total deforestation of old-growth cedar in British Columbia, and in respect for the life cycles of the forest, Our Home is carved from naturally fallen wood. In Cook’s words, “Indigenous Peoples tirelessly advocate for the preservation of what little remains.”

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My work Our Home explores the complex and often painful history that Canada has imposed upon its Indigenous communities. This work is both a testament to longstanding traditions and an unflinching look at the repercussions of industrial exploitation, the very foundation upon which the nation was built. Our Home replaces the familiar Canadian flag narrative with one rich in Indigenous history and significance. Crafted from salvaged red cedar sourced from a clear-cut forest, this piece embodies the intersection of destruction and resilience, urging viewers to reflect on the past while advocating for a just and sustainable future. This work is positioned alongside a historical mask tied to the Hamat’sa society. Together, they are a reminder of resilience and the necessity of honoring and integrating Indigenous sovereignty while exposing the relationship between government and industry. With only two percent of old growth forests remaining in British Columbia, the works—both crafted from old growth cedar—are symbolic markers of the urgency of conservation efforts. Indigenous Peoples tirelessly advocate for the preservation of what little remains.

Rande Cook, artist, Namgis First Nation