Northwest Coast Indigenous carving of a hand carved SPIRIT BEAR by Morris Johnny 2026

Northwest Coast Indigenous carving of a SPIRIT BEAR hand carved in 2026 with locally harvested Red Cedar from Northern Vancouver Island BC. Made in Canada over 2 inches thick, 10 inches wide as pictured. 

Kwakwaka’wakw artist Morris Johnny hand made Northwest Coast Indigenous Artist

To the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, the Spirit Bear holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning. According to Tsimshian legend, the Raven—the creator of the world—made one in ten black bears white to remind people of the time when the Earth was covered in ice and snow and to encourage them to value peace and reflection over pride and arrogance.

For the Gitga’at Nation, the Spirit Bear is not just a rare animal—it is a guardian of the forest, a symbol of harmony and respect for nature. Seeing one is considered an omen, a powerful and sacred experience, and many Indigenous communities work tirelessly to protect the bear and its habitat from industrial development, logging, and climate change.