Bill Reid

William Ronald Reid Jr., known as Iljuwas, was born on January twelfth, nineteen twenty, and passed away on March thirteenth, nineteen ninety-eight. A prominent Haida artist, Reid's extensive body of work includes jewelry, sculpture, screen-printing, and paintings. Over the course of his remarkable fifty-year career, he produced more than one thousand original pieces, establishing himself as one of the most significant Northwest Coast artists of the late twentieth century.

Reid's artistic legacy is celebrated at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, which showcases contemporary Indigenous art and honors his contributions to the field. His matrilineal heritage connects him to K'aadaas Gaa K'iigawaay, belonging to the Raven matrilineages of the Haida Nation, with roots tracing back to T'aanuu Llnagaay.

Throughout his life, Reid was known by several names, including Iljuuwas, meaning Princely One, Kihlguulins, or One Who Speaks Well, and Yaahl SG̱waansing, which translates to Solitary Raven. His influence extended beyond the art world, as he was also an activist dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Haida culture.

Among his notable achievements, some of Reid's major works were featured on the Canadian twenty-dollar banknote as part of the Canadian Journey series from two thousand four to two thousand twelve, further solidifying his impact on Canadian art and culture.