Ray Natraoro (formerly Natrall) apprenticed under Kwakwaka’wakw artist, Simon Dick, and Coast Salish artists, Klatle-Bhi and Rick Harry.
Natraoro is deeply involved with the traditional culture of his people, teaching the Salish language and involving himself in the singing and dancing of his cultural heritage.
“I have been carving masks, totem poles, and model canoes since 1994. I learned to carve canoes from my late uncle. Canoe building can be traced back through five generations in my family. I have helped carve three race canoes, and in 1998 I was the Master Carver on a 37-foot sea-going canoe for my nation.” In addition to his carving, Natraoro has been creating many limited edition prints since 2007.
