There’s something magical about the stories that books carry—especially when they bring people together in the most unexpected ways.
At the Spring Craft Market at the Italian Hall in Port Alberni this past weekend, I brought two very special titles to my Ash Tree Books table: first edition copies of Potlatch (1969) and Son of Raven, Son of Deer (1967), both written by the beloved Nuu-chah-nulth artist and author George Clutesi. One of these books, Son of Raven, Son of Deer, is signed by Clutesi himself.
What I didn’t expect was that both books would call in his family.
Over the course of the day, I had the absolute joy of speaking with two of George Clutesi’s grandchildren, who stopped by the table, as well as one of his nieces—who graciously shared stories of growing up with him. Listening to her speak brought the warmth of oral tradition right to the market hall. She even let me take a photo of her holding the books, which I’ll cherish (and share here with permission 💛).
This was, without question, my favourite part of the entire market—getting to connect across generations, and hold space for the legacy of someone whose work continues to resonate so deeply in this region.
George Clutesi (1905–1988) was a member of the Tseshaht First Nation, part of the Nuu-chah-nulth people of Vancouver Island. He was a celebrated painter, writer, actor, and broadcaster—one of the first Indigenous authors in Canada to publish English-language works about First Nations culture from an Indigenous perspective. In Potlatch, Clutesi draws the reader into the sacred and theatrical world of the Tloo-qwah-nah, the most magnificent form of potlatch. His writing in both books is lyrical, insightful, and rooted in the cultural strength and depth of the Tseshaht people.
I’ll be posting this signed copy of Son of Raven, Son of Deer and Potlatch as a set on the website later this week. If you’re a collector or simply someone who values Indigenous voices and history, I hope you’ll keep an eye out. These are remarkable books—and after this weekend, they’ve come to feel even more alive with story.
