Rande Cook

Rande Cook (Kwa’kwa’ka’wakw) was born in 1977, in beautiful Alert Bay, B.C., Canada — a small fishing village rich in culture and traditional values, located on Cormorant Island, along the Northeastern coast of Vancouver Island. Cook was raised by the strong teachings of his grandparents, Gus and Florence Matilpi. The Thunderbird, Sun, Kulus, Seagull and Sisiutul are his predominant family crest symbols.

While growing up, Cook and his grandfather observed and discussed the traditional art forms of their Kwa’kwa’ka’wakw heritage and he found himself drawn to the ceremonial masks and the art of the potlatch. Cook holds chieftainships from his maternal side and his paternal side. From his father’s side he is from the Gigalgam (The First Ones), Making the Thunderbird (Kwanusila) the crest of the ‘Namgis (Nimpkish) tribe. From his mother’s side, he is from the Seagull (Hamatam) of the Ma’amtagila (Matilpi Village) tribe.

In 1991, Rande Cook moved to Victoria B.C. to attend high school. Throughout this time, his passion for the arts evolved, as did his skills. Cook worked at perfecting both Indigenous and Western art forms and found himself drawn to the strong classical form of Northwest Coast art. Cook studied the styles and formlines of different nations, focusing primarily on the northern tribes of Vancouver Island.