History Afloat: Voices from the Working Waterfront
Stormy Hamar, Carver
Stormy Hamar is an accomplished Haida carver with a passion for dugout canoes. Based in Kasaan, a village on Prince of Wales Island, Stormy has dedicated his life to learning and preserving the traditional knowledge and skills to carve a Haida dugout canoe. Stormy's knowledge of carving has been handed down through his apprenticeship with Tsimshian master carver Stan Marsden. Stormy recent carved a 30-foot Haida dugout canoe named Xaadaas Tluuwaay (The People's Canoe), the largest canoe made in Kasaan in over 100 years. Xaadaas Tluuwaay was one of three canoes from Kasaan that made the journey to Celebration in Juneau, Alaska in June, 2024. With his work and passion, Stormy hopes to revitalize canoe culture and pass this knowledge on to future generations.
Umeko Seaver, Port Captain at the Alaska Marine Highway System
Stormy Hamar, Carver

Interview Excerpt: A Chance Encounter on a Canoe Journey to Celebration



Interview Excerpt: From Tree to Canoe with Haida Carver Stormy Hamar



Interview Excerpt: Revitalizing Haida Culture Can't Be Done Alone



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Stormy Hamar and his Daughter Stephanie Hamar
Stormy Hamar and his Daughter Stephanie Hamar
Dugout Canoe
Dugout Canoe
Killer Whale in Process
Killer Whale in Process
Dugout Canoe in Carving Shed
Dugout Canoe in Carving Shed
Model Canoes
Model Canoes
Stormy's Granddaughter Thavara Willis Sits in Canoe
Stormy's Granddaughter Thavara Willis Sits in Canoe
Interior of Náay í'Waans (The Great House), also known as the Whale House
Interior of Náay í'Waans (The Great House), also known as the Whale House
Totem Pole in front of Náay í'Waans (The Great House) in Kasaan, AK
Totem Pole in front of Náay í'Waans (The Great House) in Kasaan, AK