Derek White

White was born on Haida Gwaii in 1965, and has lived there all his life. His father, Morris White, was Chief of the Edinsu(Edenshaw)Eagle Clan of Kiusta until he passed away in 1997. His father, Geoffrey White, was the grandson of the great carver, Charles Edenshaw. He witnessed Robert Davidson’s first Pole raising in 1969, as he lived right next door. He started carving small works in 1985, part-time doing carpentry, and helping his father and brothers on a red cedar canoe and carving shed the rest of the time. White has witnessed every major pole raising in Haida Gwaii in the last few decades.