Clockwise from left: Oyster Catcher Rattle is a part of Dick's prized work. He displays two of his well-known masks. sugiiT7ED PHOTO DOUGLAS REYNOLDS GALLERY Carving legend mourned First Nations artist and advocate Beau Dick, will be missed By CASSANDRA OSBORNE enowned and_ well-loved Kwakwaka'wakw artist Beau Dick died Tuesday morning at the age of 61. Before his death, Dick’s art was to be featured in Documenta 14, which Scott Watson, director of the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery at UBC, said was “like the Olympics of the art world.” ‘The carved masks would have been worn by 30 dancers in a traditional Kwakwaka'wakw dance at the Acropo- lis in Athens. Dick was a hereditary chief of the "Namgis First Nation in Alert Bay, BC. He was also politically active, and par- ticipated in the shaming ceremony at Parliament Hill in 2013 that brought to attention the strained relationship between First Nations and the federal government. Peter Lat- timer, owner of Vancouver's Lattimer Gallery, knew Beau since childhood. Just yesterday Lattimer re- ceived one of Dick’s masks to sell on consignment. “He was able to capture expressions “He was always offering a hug anda smile, willing to share his knowledge.” — PETER LATTIMER, GALLERY OWNER on faces, whether it was portrait masks or animal masks, that really nobody else is able to do,” Lattimer said. Jill Baird, Cu- rator of educa- tion and public programs at the UBC Museum of Anthropology, said Dick was an important figure and “a fantastic human being.” “He was both an artist and a chief in his cultural traditions, but he was also an activist in trying to make a change in the world for indigenous people,” she said. “He was always offering a hug and a smile, willing to share his knowledge.” Carey Newman, Dick's relative, said although some people put his cousin on a pedestal, Dick was good at making people feel at ease. Newman recalled the first time he danced at a potlatch. “T was nervous and scared and vul- nerable, and his words and his kind- ness made me feel completely at ease,” he said, "and helped me to slip into the character of the dance I was doing, to really be present at the ceremony. He had a lot of magic." His work is currently displayed in the Canadian Musuem of History in Gat- tineau, QC. Pttny i [Left to right] Headliner Simon King said being able to use his art for good has given him a lot. Mark Hughes ho WE\\\ ‘Na pes to continue to fundraising. susMiTTeD PHOTOS \ Using laughter to fight addiction How one man decided to advo- cate for the opioid crisis By CASS LUCKE ocal comedian Mark Hughes is L helping solve Vancouver's illicit drug overdose crisis one laugh at a time. As a recovering addict himself who has lost people to overdose, Hughes or- ganized a second safe injection comedy fundraiser at Pat’s Pub Brewhouse last night, after the first in December. The aim is to raise money for emergency services provided by the Overdose Pre- vention Society. After seven drug-free years, Hughes began using comedy as a creative outlet in 2013 and believes it takes the edge off of life. “It’s a dark time for people involved in this issue,” Hughes said in regards to the opioid overdose crisis, “I know I've turned to laughter during lots of times where I've struggled.” “The tents are important because they’re solidifying ways, not to punish people for [their addiction], but to help them along the way with it,” local comic Chris James said. “It recognizes it as a medical condition rather than a crimi- nal problem.” Karmik is an organization that offers free naloxone training and informed the show's audience of their services. The venue provided free space for the comics, many of whom have dealt with or are currently dealing with addiction. Melanie Rose, a local Vancouver comic, has been clean for nine months and performed at the event. “When everybody's laughing, they either have done it or know someone who has,” Rose said. "T think keeping it light, you can say more painful things without having people turn their heads,” she added. The show’s closing act was Simon King, who believes these events add a face to usually marginalized situations, and keeps the conversation going. “Unless you're a drug user or work with them, [the drug crisis] doesn’t get into your radar,” King said. “It's about letting people know that the situation isn’t solved just because it's not on the front page.” Local photo journos Saluted Journalists are needed more today than ever, say photographers By VIOLETTA KRYAK n exhibition showcasing works A of some of the best Canadian news photographers is on dis- play at the Pendulum Gallery March 20-April 14. The News Photographers Associa- tion of Canada put on the show for the public to have a direct connection to the stories photojournalists cover. "It falls within our mandate and it is a popular show with the public,” said- Chris Heatley, who is the Pendulum Gallery coordinator. “What I think is really important about this now is making sure that there is strong ethics in photojournal- ism and making sure you are telling the right story. “Tt helps educate people.” — JOHN LEHMANN, PHOTOJOURNALIST John Lehmann, a Vancouver photo- journalist, who is one of the finalists, said the exhibition makes a point that this generation is the most visually lit- erate. “It helps educate people to what is considered good quality photojournal- ism,” he said. He argues a picture is more impor- tant than the words. “Words can accompany the image; I don’t think it should be images accom- panying the story,” Lehmann said. Ali Ledgerwood, executive director of NPAC, said the showcase has been well received by the public and people relate to a visual story. “T’ve had people come to the opening night, because they said that this was their favorite exhibition,” said Ledger- wood. “My understanding is this is one of the biggest draws.” Today especially strong photojour- nalism ethics is vital in the industry Ledgerwood said. She added some newspapers don’t re- ally understand that the photo tells the story more than the words do. “Even if you go digital, you have got to remember that its image driven, it’s not going to be words first," Ledger- wood said. "It’s not about the clickbait, it’s actually about the content." Since 2010, 225 weekly and 75 daily papers have shut their doors or merged with others in Canada. One third of journalism jobs have been lost in the last six years in Canada. 74 per cent of Canadian journal- ists need outside income to pay their bills, said 2013 study. SOURCE: THE PUBLIC POLICY FORUM