Join us in honouring National Indigenous Peoples Day with a special drop-in paddle carving demonstration and discussion led by Jody Sparrow, a xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) born and raised Coast Salish artist, known for his work as a jeweller and carver.
National Indigenous Peoples Day is a celebration of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. June 21 marks the summer solstice—a day that holds cultural significance for many Indigenous communities and has long been a time to gather in celebration.
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025
Time: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Tickets: FREE in the MOV lobby (Admission not required)
For general inquiries regarding this event, please contact the Programming Department here.
Meet the Artist
Jody Sparrow
I am a xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) born and raised Coast Salish artist whose ancestry is from Musqueam/Squamish Nations. I am part of the movement to revive and celebrate Coast Salish art styles in Coast Salish lands and I am currently passing my knowledge on to my daughter and granddaughter. I am most recognized for my work reviving Coast Salish traditional and contemporary canoe and paddle styles and am well-known for the unique Coast Salish jewelry style, Coast Salish Goat horn design.
I’ve been carving for the past ten years. I jumped into doing bentwood boxes, learning as I go with steaming. I am a Red Seal carpenter and am familiar with millwork. With my carpentry skills, I can mill my own wood to create 5′x3′ panels as well as circular panels by laminating 3″x6″ red or yellow cedar together.
I was first introduced to carving when I was seven years old by the old traditional carvers of my community Musqueam, who made Northern style plaques and 10″ mini-totem poles. It wasn’t until the year 2000 that I took a carving tool course where we made our own blades with handles and with those, I made a bowl and mask.