Bernie Williams

CULTURAL GROUP:
Haida

BORN:
October 2, 1957

BIRTHPLACE:
Old Massett, Haida Gwaii

Bernie Williams' Haida name is Skundaal, and she is from the Raven clan. She grew up with her grandparents, matriarch Nonnie Ouii Agnes Williams and Hereditary Chief Robert Williams Stheithlhdaah. Bernie has been creating art for over twenty years. She creates textiles, masks, sculptures, totem poles, limited edition prints, and now jewellery. Highlights of Bernie’s career include apprenticing under the late Haida artist Bill Reid, and creating a button blanket for Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Rigoberta Tum, to wear upon her acceptance of the prize. In 2009, Bernie graduated from Vancouver's Northwest Coast Jewellery Arts program under established Kwakwaka'wakw/Haida artist Dan Wallace.