Paddle carved from a single piece of light coloured wood, with a raven painted along one side of the blade and onto the throat. Paddle has a flattened ovular blade, thick cylindrical throat, and flattened shaft that flares outward at the top. Shaft has wide notches carved into it, below barrel-shaped grip; grip painted black. Painted raven is made up of formline design elements; done in dark blue, dark red, light blue, black, bronze, and green-blue. Raven's head is pointed downward, touching bottom edge of blade, wings are held close to body, and tail feathers are straightened. Bulbous face- with thick brows, a large nose, and open mouth- painted across upper half of wing. Eyes of raven and face, circle on upper half of tail, and sides of grip are covered with a crushed black mineral. Artist inscription written on back centre of blade: "Raven Led the Way" JADE HANUSE 2023 © Anuximana JH; rest of back is undecorated.

• Narrative

  The carver of the original paddle is unrecorded. The unpainted paddle was a gift to Hanuse from Dempsey Bob. Hanuse was later inspired to paint the paddle. The paddle was displayed in a 2023 exhibition at the Museum of Northern BC. Partial funding for this purchase came from a donation by Dr. Brenda Focht.

• Cultural Context

  contemporary art

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• Type of Item paddle
• Culture Nuxalk
• Material wood, paint, mineral, adhesive
• Measurements height 157.8 cm, width 14.2 cm, depth 3.4 cm (overall)

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• Creator Jade Hanuse
• Previous Owner Jade Hanuse
• Received from Jade Hanuse, Brenda Focht, Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget

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• Made in British Columbia
• Collected in Bella Coola

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• Creation Date during 2023
• Ownership Date before July 4, 2023
• Acquisition Date on July 4, 2023

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• Condition excellent
• Accession Number 3631/0001