Gary Minaker-Russ

Gary Minaker-Russ, born in 1958 in Masset, Haida Gwaii, is a member of the Eagle Clan with Beaver, Sculpin, Frog, and Whale as his crests. He began carving in 1977 and is renowned for his carving, including totem poles, sculptures, boxes, bowls, and jewelry made from argillite, ivory, and whale teeth. Gary honed his craft under the guidance of his brother, Ed Russ, and sister-in-law, Faye Russ, learning the legends, forms, and techniques essential to his craft.

His work has been exhibited at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa, ON, and the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, BC. In 2008, Gary was one of fourteen argillite carvers featured in Carol Sheehan's book Breathing Stone.