VIHA's Aboriginal Health program uses three logos created by local artists. To learn more about the artists and their approach, please read their biographies:
A Strong Song to Holistic Healing (First logo on the right) LessLIE
Born in 1973 in Duncan, B.C., lessLIE is Coast Salish of Cowichan, Penelakut, Esquimalt, Irish, Italian, and French descent. His colonized, Catholic, Canadian name is Leslie Robert Sam. His decolonized artist’s name is lessLIE. Hitler once said that the bigger the lie you tell, the more people you can get to beLIEve in it. Hitler was a proponent of racism, genocide, and imperialism, which are political forces which lessLIE is fighting against. Picasso once said that art is a lie that tells the truth. In the spirit of the trickster traditions of the Northwest Coast, lessLIE partially beLIEves in this perspective of Picasso’s.
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Eagles Eternity (Second logo on the right) Fred Anderson Jr.
Fred Anderson Jr. was born in 1966 at Rivers Inlet BC, a village situated just east of the Northern tip of Vancouver Island. Traditional aboriginal art has been an integral part of his life from early childhood. All his creations have a story incorporating culture with spiritual development. “I believe that all experiences positive and negative are stepping stones to personal improvement.” Fred learned his art from his elders, apprenticed under the renowned native artist, Ross Hunt and was greatly influenced by David Gladstone. Heiltsuk & Owikeeno Nation Bella Bella, B.C.
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Hummingbird (Third logo on the right) George Shaughnessy Jr.
George was born in 1963 in Alert Bay and his parents are from Wakeman Sound and Gilford island. George began to study Kwaguilth art in 1987 when his family was preparing for an upcoming Memorial Potlatch. Although he still works with pencil, paper and acrylic paint he has learned to digitalize his artwork onto the computer using vector graphics. The Hummingbird dance promotes good spiritual and physical health and healing.
Please note: Our logo may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the Vancouver Island Health Authority.