Derek Christian Heaton

Born 1970

Born on the East coast of Canada into the Miqmak Nation, Derek was adopted by a Norwegian mother and a Canadian father. Derek was always an artist from his earliest days. He has been influenced by the style of the artists on the Northwest coast, particularly Willie Seaweed who was a Kwakwaka'wakw master carver. Born in 1873 and died in 1967, Willie was one of the major innovators in native art style. Derek has received permission from the Seaweed family to learn from the considerable legacy of work that Willie left. Derek also carves and is very aware of the need for self-discovery and re-connection to his traditional roots.