Bio:
I am the great grandson of Annie Krise Whitener of the Squaxin Tribe and David Whitener of Metlakatla, Alaska, Tsimsian “Raven” Clan. I am the grandson of Fame L Rankin Whitener and the son of Mary L Kuntz, Mason, Rankin.
I have been honored to teach Salish Cultural Arts using the “Sit Beside” arts using local natural fibers.
I also have been honored to apprentice under Ed Carriere a Suquamish master carver and master canoe builder. I am very proud to call him my friend. We have shared the experience of traveling to New Zealand where we were the guests of the Maori in Aukland where we learned so much about their weaving and culture. We also went to the Big Island of Hawaii together and learned of weaving, history and even the importance of the stars in the lives of our ancestors.
I have truly been inspired by local archeological digs that I have been privileged to view. The ingenuity and the intelligence of the first people to live in this territory, hunting, fishing, carving, weaving in order to live is just awe inspiring for me and I hope to share my respect and admiration for my ancestors with you today.