Rupert Scow is an artist based in Alert Bay, BC. The Scow family, known as “The people of the Bear,” is Kwikwasut’inuxw from the village of Gwa’yasdams on Gilford Island, and takes the Bear and the Gwa’yasdams crest of the Sisiutl, or double headed sea serpent, as family crests. Scow descends from a long line of carvers and respected elders, and began learning to carve cedar in his 20s. He soon developed his own style, and continues to seek to keep the tradition of carving alive by teaching others the traditional techniques. He believes in the importance of passing traditional art forms down to younger generations, and volunteers part of his time teaching aspiring First Nations carvers in the lower mainland.