The Thunderbird was a large supernatural bird who created thunder by the flapping of his wings. Killerwhales were his main source of food. The Thunderbird would fly down to the water tocapture the Killerwhale then fly into the mountains to eat his prey.

Both the Thunderbird and Killerwhale are crests that belong to my family. Dance screens such as this, would be displayed in the big house during native ceremonies. Often the designs on the screen represent the family who is hosting the ceremony.

Screens represent the thin veil that separates us from the mystical and supernatural world. I was born in 1953 and am a member of the Wewaikum Band in Campbell River. My father, the late Sam Henderson, was a well-known Kwakwaka'wakw carver. My mother, the late May Quocksister Henderson, was the eldest daughter of a high-ranking family of the Wewaikum Band. My parents were keen to pass on their cultural traditions to our family and they were a major influence in my work.

I have been involved in a great many potlatches from designing and painting masks and large dance screens, such as this one, to performing the dances that belong to my family. I began painting traditional designs at age 11 and received encouragement from my father. Under his guidance I learned the principles of Kwakwaka'wakw design. My work has been influenced by contemporary events as well by the older style artists.

Mark Henderson July 1999

To view more pictures of the "Dance-Screen" by Mark Henderson, please "click here".