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Richard Hunt is an Aboriginal artist from the Kwakwaka’wakw nation of coastal British Columbia. He comes from a family of internationally acclaimed Native artists, including his father, Henry Hunt, and his grandfather, Mungo Martin, and is one of the most celebrated contemporary Northwest Coast artists.

Born in 1951, Richard Hunt is originally from Alert Bay, British Columbia, but has lived most of his life in Victoria, where he went to high school. He began carving with his father at the age of 13, and later apprenticed under him at the Royal British Columbia Museum. In 1974, Richard Hunt became the chief carver in the Thunderbird Park Carving Program, where he remained for 12 years. In 1986, Richard Hunt launched a new career as a freelance Aboriginal artist.

In 1991, Richard became the first Native artist to receive the Order of British Columbia, which was given to him “in recognition of serving with the greatest distinction and excellence in a field of endeavour benefiting the people of the Province of British Columbia and elsewhere.” In 1994, he received the Order of Canada, the most prestigious award of his Native art career, which recognizes “outstanding achievement, honouring those who have given services to Canada, to their fellow citizens or to humanity at large.”

Richard Hunt’s Native name, Gwe-la-yo-gwe-la-gya-lis, is highly appropriate considering his accomplishments. It means “a man that travels and wherever he goes, he potlatchs.” Through his art, his speaking and his dancing, Mr. Hunt has indeed given much to the world.