Perry LaFortune is a master carver with more than 40 years of learning and practicing Coast Salish carving. At the age of 12, he knew that he wanted to be a carver. Perry comes from a family of artists and carvers. Simon Charlie and his brother Francis Horne are two of the many Coast Salish artists who mentored Perry into becoming the master carver he is today.

He began carving at a time when Coast Salish art was being revived. Respecting tradition while also incorporating new and evolving elements are strongly represented in Perry’s work.

Public exhibitions, leading canoe carving projects for the Tsawout Community, and carved talking sticks for former presidents of the US, are just a few, yet significant ways Perry has contributed to the growth and visibility of Coast Salish art and revival.