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Home > Arts and Entertainment > The Life and Legend of Bill Reid


The Life and Legend of Bill Reid

Bill Reid spent his life confronting public opinion. The artist, who was of Haida and European descent, was largely credited with inspiring a Haida renaissance with his masterful works of art. Some viewed Reid as a curiosity – an artist who navigated his way through two dissimilar worlds. Others viewed him with a more cynical eye and criticized him as a mimic with manufactured ties to the Haida community. CBC Archives explores the esteemed, influential and at times controversial career of Bill Reid.

 
Reluctant icon

 
Carvers of the totem poles

 
Rescue mission

 Reluctant icon

Bill Reid talks about his life, his two careers, and aversion to fame. (Radio; runs 9:40)

 Carvers of the totem poles

Bill Reid explains the history and significance of the Queen Charlotte Island totem poles. (Radio; runs 14:17)

 Rescue mission

Reid participates in a salvage expedition to rescue decaying Haida art. (TV; runs 9:18)

 
The farewell screen

 
Haida homecoming

 
Globetrotting: Reid in Paris

 The farewell screen

In the centre of the forest, Reid unveils a tribute to the lost Haida nation. (TV; runs 5:01)

 Haida homecoming

A new pole is raised in Skidegate, B.C. (Radio; runs 14:18)

 Globetrotting: Reid in Paris

Reid's art is warmly received in Paris at the Museum of Man. (TV; runs 2:35)

 
The private Bill Reid

 
The grand old man of Haida art

 
The Jade Canoe

 The private Bill Reid

Friends and associates describe the complex personality of Bill Reid. (Radio; runs 6:48)

 The grand old man of Haida art

Despite being slowed with Parkinson's disease, Reid remains a consummate artist and activist. (TV; runs 8:55)

 The Jade Canoe

The raven, the bear, the frog and the dogfish woman coexist uncomfortably in this Reid legend. (TV; runs 7:39)

 
Bill Reid remembered

 
Portrait of the artist

 
The Raven Steals the Light

 Bill Reid remembered

At the age of 78, Bill Reid passes away. (TV; runs 2:04)

 Portrait of the artist

A controversial Maclean's article makes some startling accusations against the late Bill Reid. (TV; runs 2:37)

 The Raven Steals the Light

Bill Reid's fantastical legends are brought to life again. (Radio; runs 7:58)

 
The Spirit of Haida Gwaii concert

   
 The Spirit of Haida Gwaii concert

The Rainbow Creek Dancers pay tribute to Bill Reid. (TV; runs 1:45)

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