West Coast Ambassador Program | Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino

Community Carving of A Traditional Nuu-Chah-Nulth Log Drum
May 03
Join the Carving on the Edge Society for their Carving on the Edge Festival events!

Bending Bent-Wood Boxes Demonstration (session 1)

Join the Carving on the Edge Society and Peter Wayne Gong in this 1h demonstration of how to bend bent-wood boxes.

Event by donation

Peter Wayne Gong

I grew up in Ruskin, B.C. on the Whonnock Reserve #1. My family on my mother's side are direct descendants of the people who lived on the Stave River, a tributary of the Fraser River. Though I grew up in Ruskin, I am a member of the Squamish Nation, which is situated in North Vancouver, B.C. As a child I spent many days on the Fraser River netting salmon with my uncle. He would set his net, and we would wait for the floats to go down. This would indicate salmon hitting the net. During this time, my uncle would tell me the stories that were passed on to him.

Since then, I have had a strong interest in my culture. I first started to learn to carve when I was a teenager. I learned from my uncle, Jack Miranda. He taught me how to carve ivory and wood and how to make my own tools. I now carve mostly red and yellow cedar, as well as alder and birch. I also have to credit my two teachers, Sean Hinton and Tom Patterson, for the progress I made with my art in the last two years.

As an artist I want every piece to be better than the last and always strive to do the best I can. Since 2009 I have worked with my nephew on two projects as a volunteer. The first was a house pole that was gifted by Mission City, B.C. to its sister city, Oyama, Japan, where it now proudly stands with Mt. Fuji in the background. The second project was two welcome figures, one male and one female, 18 feet tall and 3 1/2 feet in diameter, carved for B.C. Hydro for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, B.C. They now stand welcoming guests to B.C. Hydro's main office foyer in Vancouver, B.C. I also worked as an apprentice for George Pennier on a project for the new emergency waiting room at Chilliwack General Hospital in early 2011. This project was a 8 feet in diameter by 4 inches thick spindle whorl, and can now be viewed at the Chilliwack hospital in its new emergency area. Since then I have been busy improving my skills as a carver, working and striving to be better with every project I take on as an artist.

Photo credits: Carving on the Edge Festival

Bending Bent-Wood Boxes Demonstration (session 2)

Join the Carving on the Edge Society and Peter Wayne Gong in this 1h demonstration of how to bend bent-wood boxes.

Event by donation

Peter Wayne Gong

I grew up in Ruskin, B.C. on the Whonnock Reserve #1. My family on my mother's side are direct descendants of the people who lived on the Stave River, a tributary of the Fraser River. Though I grew up in Ruskin, I am a member of the Squamish Nation, which is situated in North Vancouver, B.C. As a child I spent many days on the Fraser River netting salmon with my uncle. He would set his net, and we would wait for the floats to go down. This would indicate salmon hitting the net. During this time, my uncle would tell me the stories that were passed on to him.

Since then, I have had a strong interest in my culture. I first started to learn to carve when I was a teenager. I learned from my uncle, Jack Miranda. He taught me how to carve ivory and wood and how to make my own tools. I now carve mostly red and yellow cedar, as well as alder and birch. I also have to credit my two teachers, Sean Hinton and Tom Patterson, for the progress I made with my art in the last two years.

As an artist I want every piece to be better than the last and always strive to do the best I can. Since 2009 I have worked with my nephew on two projects as a volunteer. The first was a house pole that was gifted by Mission City, B.C. to its sister city, Oyama, Japan, where it now proudly stands with Mt. Fuji in the background. The second project was two welcome figures, one male and one female, 18 feet tall and 3 1/2 feet in diameter, carved for B.C. Hydro for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, B.C. They now stand welcoming guests to B.C. Hydro's main office foyer in Vancouver, B.C. I also worked as an apprentice for George Pennier on a project for the new emergency waiting room at Chilliwack General Hospital in early 2011. This project was a 8 feet in diameter by 4 inches thick spindle whorl, and can now be viewed at the Chilliwack hospital in its new emergency area. Since then I have been busy improving my skills as a carver, working and striving to be better with every project I take on as an artist.

Photo credits: Carving on the Edge Festival

Lino Carving and Printmaking with Ivy Cargill-Martin

Join the Carving on the Edge Society and Ivy Cargill-Martin to design, carve, and print your very own Linocut! For all levels of experience.

All supplies provided.

Event by donation

Ivy Cargill-Martin

Born and raised by two very artistic parents on the west coast, I’ve watched and participated in many different forms of art. From a young age I’ve always had a fascination with art, whether it be drawing, painting, or crochet. Along the way, I was presented with many opportunities that have helped shape me as a person and artist. In 2015, I was presented with the opportunity to participate in one of Mark Hobson’s painting workshops and to woodblock print with Dan Law at the Carving on the Edge Festival. I was also invited by Marika Swan to assist with the Nuu-chah-nulth Living Archive, a project of Carving on the Edge, to explore the depths of the Royal BC Museum in Victoria in what I would call ‘inspirational field work’.

I have taken a Graphic Recording workshop and have dove head first into this method of arts-based community facilitation. I love the practice because it reminds me of how our people would have recorded things in the past. For instance a totem pole tells a story or a legend - Graphic Recording allows me to tell the story of a meeting or conference. I have been able to bridge language and art by facilitating graphic recordings for the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations band office and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District’s Coastal Community Garden Initiative.

I’ve also had the chance to help coordinate a series of small murals that are now hung at the Wickaninnish Community School garden. The students painted and decorated the panels after I came up with the different designs, creating a flowing piece of art against the fence. The mural represents Indigenous foods of our region. Collaborating with two local businesses, Reika and Porkchop Prophecy, I designed a shirt to spread awareness about Indigenous Lives Matter with all of the profits going to Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks so they can continue to protect our land. I’m looking forward to what the future holds.

Photo credits: Carving on the Edge Society

West Coast NEST — West Coast Ambassador Program | Small Town, Big Picture: Ucluelet
May 05
Join the Raincoast Education Society to learn about local history, ecology, cross-cultural understanding, businesses, festivals, host etiquette, and key civic info. It's a great way to get up-to-date insights on living and working in Ucluelet!

Coastal Raincoast Ecology in Ucluelet West Coast Ambassador Program Raincoast Education Society West Coast NEST — West Coast Ambassador Program | Coastal Raincoast Ecology in Ucluelet
May 08
Join the Raincoast Education Society to explore the many interactions that shape this iconic habitat, from the forest floor to the canopy.

Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino Raincoast Education society West Coast NEST — West Coast Ambassador Program | Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino
May 12
Join the Raincoast Education Society to learn about local history, ecology, cross-cultural understanding, businesses, festivals, host etiquette, and key civic info, a great way to get up-to-date insights on living and working in Tofino.

Ambassador Program Marine Ecology Raincoast Education Society — West Coast Ambassador Program | Marine Ecology
May 14
Join the Raincoast Education Society to explore the intertidal and pelagic ecosystems of Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds, highlighting the diversity of seaweeds, invertebrates, marine mammals, and more.

West Coast Ambassador Program | Marine Ecology

Join the Raincoast Education Society's West Coast Ambassador Program and learn how to be a responsible resident of this incredible place and how to share that knowledge with visitors.

The courses are open to all local residents, including seasonal staff, newcomers, and business owners. They focus on Tofino and Ucluelet, their past, present, ecologies, vibrant business communities, festivals and events, opportunities, and much more.

Participants of the Ambassador course will receive an Ambassador Card. Show your card for discounts and benefits at many local businesses!

Marine Ecology

This 2- to 2.5-hour course explores the intertidal and pelagic ecosystems of Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds, highlighting the incredible diversity of seaweeds, invertebrates, marine mammals, and more. Participants will also learn about local oceanographic conditions and the vital role this rich marine environment plays in sustaining life along this coast.

Beyond education, this course is about connection, helping people develop a deeper appreciation for this beautiful space and equipping them with the knowledge to advocate for its protection against the threats of ignorance and overuse. Through our exhibits, we facilitate in-depth conversations and hands-on activities that illustrate how every part of the ecosystem interacts, fostering a greater understanding of the intricate balance that sustains marine life.

Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.

Register HERE for this FREE course (space is limited).

This FREE program is offered as a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino, The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Photo by Dane Stabel

West Coast Ambassador Program | Marine Ecology

Join the Raincoast Education Society's West Coast Ambassador Program and learn how to be a responsible resident of this incredible place and how to share that knowledge with visitors.

The courses are open to all local residents, including seasonal staff, newcomers, and business owners. They focus on Tofino and Ucluelet, their past, present, ecologies, vibrant business communities, festivals and events, opportunities, and much more.

Participants of the Ambassador course will receive an Ambassador Card. Show your card for discounts and benefits at many local businesses!

Marine Ecology

This 2- to 2.5-hour course explores the intertidal and pelagic ecosystems of Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds, highlighting the incredible diversity of seaweeds, invertebrates, marine mammals, and more. Participants will also learn about local oceanographic conditions and the vital role this rich marine environment plays in sustaining life along this coast.

Beyond education, this course is about connection, helping people develop a deeper appreciation for this beautiful space and equipping them with the knowledge to advocate for its protection against the threats of ignorance and overuse. Through our exhibits, we facilitate in-depth conversations and hands-on activities that illustrate how every part of the ecosystem interacts, fostering a greater understanding of the intricate balance that sustains marine life.

Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.

Register HERE for this FREE course (space is limited).

This FREE program is offered as a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino, The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Photo by Dane Stabel

Biodiversity Discovery Days West Coast NEST Clayoquot Biosphere Trust — Biodiversity Discovery Days | Drop-in Introduction Sessions to iNaturalist in Tofino
May 22
Come meet with us to ask all your questions and get ready for the Bioblitz.

West Coast Ambassador Program Nuu-chah-nulth Land and Waters Raincoast Education Society — West Coast Ambassador Program | Nuu-chah-nulth Land and Waters with ƛaʔuuk/Gisele Maria Martin
May 22
Join Gisele Maria Martin for an introduction to Nuu-chah-nulth Cultural Lifeways, protocols, laws, living teachings, early and ongoing contact, and the importance of language, which protects this beautiful place.

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May 2025