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Two Indigenous artists will design artwork for new BC Ferries vessel

Photo BC Ferries Two Indigenous artists, Richard Hunt and Danika Naccarella, will design artwork that will adorn BC Ferries' new vessel the Northern Sea Wolf.

 Photo BC FerriesPhoto BC Ferries

Two Indigenous artists, Richard Hunt and Danika Naccarella, will design artwork that will adorn BC Ferries' new vessel the Northern Sea Wolf.

The vessel was named in honour of a First Nation's legend in which the sea wolf is a manifestation of the orca or killer whale symbolizing family, loyalty and protection for ocean-going travellers.

Danika Naccarella is of the Nuxalk Nation but was born in Vancouver but moved to Bella Coola where she began her art practice in the 7th grade. She holds a diploma from the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art at Northwest Community College in Terrace.

After graduation, she became a Nuxalk art teacher's assistant she helped plan and teach Nuxalk art lessons for Kindergarten to Grade 12. She is currently working at Acwsalcta School as a teaching artist integrating and creating an arts curriculum for the students.

“With an achievement like this, and through working with BC Ferries, it is important to me that I provide a strong image and message for our youth: that you can achieve your goals by always continuing to learn and grow,” says Naccarella.

Richard Hunt is of Kwakwaka'wakw Nation in T’sakis (Fort Rupert, B.C.) and has lived in Victoria for most of his life. He has designed coins for the Royal Canadian Mint and is currently working on a 15-foot totem pole for a private collector.

He has received the Order of Canada, Order of B.C., the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal and an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria.

“In my culture, Sea Wolf comes from the Animal Kingdom of Komokwa (the Chief of the

sea world). Sea Wolf comes from a big family and so do I. I am proud to have the opportunity to showcase my culture, Gilakas'la,” says Hunt.

BC Ferries commissioned the two artists in partnership with the First Peoples' Cultural Council. One of the criteria was that the artists be associated with one of the communities the vessel will service.

The designs will be revealed to the public once they are completed and the Northern Sea Wolf is expected to be in service starting on July 20, 2018.

The Northern Sea Wolf will provide direct summer service between Port Hardy and Bella Coola, with a connector service once a week between Bella Coola, Bella Bella, Shearwater and Ocean Falls.

"This ship will serve the community and help drive tourism for years to come, and we look forward to introducing it into service this summer,” says Janet Carson, BC Ferries’ VP  of marketing and customer experience.