Darryll Dawson Jr. (Kwakwak’wakw) is a proud member of the Musgamakw Dzawada’nuxw First Nation of Kingcome Inlet. Growing up in Kingcome, his grandparents took him to numerous potlatches and feasts in Kingcome as well as with other tribes within the Kwakwak’wakw Nation. These experiences led him to learn dancing and singing at an early age. In 1993, he moved to Victoria and took his first Native Art class where he built the foundation of painting and design and started to develop his own style by age 17. In 2000, the Nanwakola Cultural Society commissioned him to design and paint a lamilas (ceremonial designed screen) for the Bighouse opening in Kingcome, where he also painted house posts carved by Master carver Beau Dick. Dawson apprenticed with Master carver Rande Cook and worked with Master carver John Livingston in Victoria, BC. His artistic inspirations are his late father Darryll Dawson Sr., his uncle Peter Dawson, William Wasden Jr., Beau Dick, Wayne Alfred, John Livingston, Rande Cook, Frances Dick and Marianne Nicolson. In 2013, Dawson moved back home to Kingcome. He currently works as a cultural co-ordinator in Kingcome to bring the community together to learn cultural practices, traditions, and ceremonies.