CULTURAL GROUP:
Tsleil-Waututh/Sḵwx̱wú7mesh

BIRTHPLACE:
Átsnach (Tsleil-Waututh, North Vancouver, BC)

Jonas Jones comes from the village of Átsnach (Tsleil-Waututh) with strong bloodlines running from Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) as well. His kwshámin (ancestral name), TsuKwalton, comes from the Squamish village of Chʼiyáḵmesh. Jonas apprenticed under Ses Siyam (Ray Natraoro), indulging within the Coast Salish laws of art, a system that is passed down from master carver to apprentice. In 2022, Jonas completed a residency with the Vancouver Mural Festival, and curated the Children of Takaya exhibit at the Seymour Art Gallery, which features art from six emerging Tsleil-Waututh artists. He has also completed a Thunderbird portrait and two 8' welcome figures for the Squamish Nation Youth Centre, two 12' welcome figures for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and a house post for the city of Burnaby's City Hall. Jonas is honoured to be practicing this craft, as this foundation of art and way of life has been running through his blood for thousands of years.