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Mungo Martin
Canadian, 1879 - 1962
Mungo Martin, also known by the names Nakapankam (Potlatch Chief Ten Times Over) or Datsa (Grandfather), learned to carve from his stepfather Charlie James and went on to teach and mentor many other artists. He was a master carver, painter, singer, songwriter, and teacher. His knowledge of cultural heritage and traditions was highly sought after by other carvers and ethnographers alike. Martin was awarded a Canada Council Medal in 1961 for his contributions to maintaining Indigenous culture.
Martin not only continued carving while the potlatch was banned but hosted the first legal potlatch within British Columbia in 1951. He took over the University of British Columbia totem pole restoration program in 1948, and from 1952-1962 worked at the Royal BC Museum’s Thunderbird Park carving replica and replica poles while mentoring younger artists. Martin also recorded some four hundred oral histories and songs for the University of British Columbia and the Royal British Columbia Provincial Museum. His work can be found in collections around the world.
Martin not only continued carving while the potlatch was banned but hosted the first legal potlatch within British Columbia in 1951. He took over the University of British Columbia totem pole restoration program in 1948, and from 1952-1962 worked at the Royal BC Museum’s Thunderbird Park carving replica and replica poles while mentoring younger artists. Martin also recorded some four hundred oral histories and songs for the University of British Columbia and the Royal British Columbia Provincial Museum. His work can be found in collections around the world.