ERNEST PUGLAS

Ernest Patrick Daniel Puglas
“Kuma’inukw”
Ernest P.D Puglas was born July 26,1986 to hereditary Chief Andrew Puglas Sr (Walas Xanasugwelukw) of the Mamalilakula people of Village Island B.C and Lavern Henderson (NundziGilagya) of the Likwildaxw people of Campbell River B.C. He is the youngest grandson of Master carver Chief Sam Henderson Sr (Numatsa) of the Nakwadaxw people of Blunden Harbour B.C
He began carving at the age of 12 years old in his grandfathers shed located in Campbell River while his family was canning salmon on the tyee spit. As Ernest grew he had the opportunity to work and carve along side of many of his Henderson cousins, Greg Henderson, Junior Henderson and his brother Andrew Puglas Jr. Through these years he gained more and more strength as a young carver and artist and was invited to his first art show in Friday Harbour U.S.A. in 2009.
He has been apart of major totem pole projects and in 2022 finished his very first totem pole of his own design, which is now located on Cortes Island territory of the Klahoose Nation. His artwork consist of his family treasures which are the second highest ranking amongst the kwakwakawakw. He has always dreamed to be a master carver and continues to work hard to achieve this goal. His unique art style is very contemporary, telling his own story alongside that of his community. 

Cortes Island, BC based.