Page 311 - YGARTUA : The Work Of A Genius

between the owner, the Creator, and the bird from which the and so many customs and traditions. So we had to research
feather came. It symbolizes trust, honor, strength, wisdom, the backgrounds of each individual Chief. It became an

power and freedom being deeply revered and a sign of high immense project, and my involvement became more about
honor. looking into the history, culture, and traditions of the Heiltsuk

People. This was all before I could even begin painting! I
Paul Ygartua and his wife Joanne exchanged an emotional became a part of it like I never believed I could with a mural.

hug with an equally emotional Hilistis. Of the mural, “I came It will remain with me for the rest of my life. It was a very
thinking I was painting the wall of a fishing lodge, this has dramatic emotional experience for everyone involved. It was

turned into a mammoth project!” “We’ve created something like a spiritual rebirth and I will never forget it.”
that I never thought in my lifetime that I could feel a part

of for the rest of my life. It became a community project of Of the day’s ceremonies Ygartua said “Today reminds me
research, and of finding the right faces and stories. Can you of my family’s Basque fiestas in the northern Spanish

imagine (the difficulty) in finding the right faces, headgear countryside; we all get together, we have a party, and there
and robes? Not to mention putting them on faces that never are no strangers. To me there is nothing better than being

ever wore those because it was illegal, so were potlatches, here today”

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