Doug Lafortune Sr.

After attending school in Victoria, Doug completed a college course in Fine Arts. Shortly after, he worked in the logging industry on Vancouver Island for several years. A visit to Simon Charlie at his workshop in Koksilah, BC rekindled a desire to pursue the arts. Doug studied under Simon and broadened his range of work in the Coast Salish style. Some of Doug's top artistic accomplishments include a Salish Welcome Figure, presented to Queen Elizabeth at the Opening Ceremonies of the XV Commonwealth Games in Victoria, as well as a commission to paint a Thunderbird and Killerwhale Dance Screen backdrop to be used at the Lauwelnew Tribal School Cultural Village. In 2004, Doug - in collaboration with Charles Elliott - carved two 30-foot totem poles for Buchart Gardens' 100th anniversary celebration.