CULTURAL GROUP:
Nuu-chah-nulth

BORN:
January 4, 1974

BIRTHPLACE:
Ahousaht, BC

Morris (Moy) Sutherland is from the Ahousaht Nation, within the Nuu-chah-nulth territory, on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Moy carries two traditional names:  Hiish-Miik, which translates as “someone who gets whatever they are after” and Chiotun from the Coast Salish village of Sliammon, which translates as “someone who helps.”

In 1994 Moy began creating carving in Alert Bay, BC. Upon mastering some basic techniques, he moved home to his traditional territory to learn more about the Nuu-chah-nulth style. In 2000, he began an apprenticeship with world-renowned Nuu-chah-nulth artist Art Thompson. Moy and Art worked together until Art’s death in 2003. In 2016, Moy created a totem pole for the Victoria Native Friendship Centre with six local youth apprentices. Moy has the benefit of having learned from both Kwakwaka'wakw and Nuu-chah-nulth artists. His pieces are known for being ornate, and often containing abalone and operculum inlays.

Moy's work can be found in galleries, museums, magazines & books, and private collections throughout the world.