Cole Speck
Cole Speck was born on May 1, 1991 and raised on the Namgis reserve on the island of Alert Bay on the northern shore of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. His traditional name is A'Walas K'anis. Cole's great grandfather was the late Chief John Speck of the Tlowitsis who was the father of the late Henry Speck Sr. He is also the great grandson of the late Harry Hanuse of Mamalalaka (Village Island) so Cole comes from a very strong cultural and artistic heritage. Cole has apprenticed under master carvers Beau Dick and Wayne Alfred for five years, he has been strongly influenced both artistically and culturally by Marcus Alfred, Bruce Alfred and Aubrey Johnston as well as many more people that have helped guide him on his journey. Cole has a tremendous love and respect for his culture and he aspires to keep old traditions alive at the same time allowing his contemporary style to emerge. In 2010/11 Cole was honoured to be asked to assist in the making of the Pat Alfred Memorial pole with Beau Dick. In 2012 Cole was Selected by Rande Cook to apprentice with him on a totem pole that will be put on display in Holland as part of a northwest coast exhibit in the fall of 2012.