Terrence Campbell

Terrence Campbell is from the Wolf Clan of the Tahltan Nation. He was born and raised in Prince Rupert, B.C. His Tahltan name, Ithskoski, means “teacher of the children,” and has materialized in his teaching of both art and karate. He has taught short courses on Native art in schools in Lower Mainland and has apprenticed others in their endeavors to express Native art and culture. Recently, Terrence has made art his full-time occupation and has taken up residence in Vancouver.

His interest in art started when he was very young. At nine years old, he announced his goal of becoming an artist. He has always been interested in animals and has studied them, but it was after listening and learning to the Elders that he truly became aware of their spiritual meanings. When Terrence was fifteen, he took a two-week carving course with Tahltan-Tlingit artist Dempsey Bob but never pursued it. Then at the age of twenty-two, he resumed carving under the tutelage of his sister, Dale Campbell.

Throughout his younger years he listened to the Elders tell the Tahltan stories and tales but did not fully understand their meanings. Terrence now remembers those stories and embodies them and their meanings, along with the representative symbols of clans and crests, in his carvings of sculpted wood pieces, totem poles and jewelry. He visualizes the stories and spirit forms in dreams and in the sweathouse and then uses them in his art.

During recent years, Terrence has been using modern designer clothing, as well as traditional button blankets, as his artistic medium for creating the symbols of First Nation’s culture and crest. He practices traditional culture and has respect for the Elders, other people and the world around him. His goal is to pass on to the next generation the gifts and knowledge that were passed down to him.