Michael White & Julie Draper
Artists Bio's Michael was sent to a foster home at an early age in Kimberly, B.C. There he was raised by Jim and Lill Ratcliffe, and learned to play hockey and baseball. From there he went on to skate in the Detroit Red Wings camp, ' 78 - ' 79. He moved back to the Yagan Nukiy Nation in 1992. There he learned more about his culture and traditional ways of life, through the sweathouse, Blacktail Dance and the Medicine Dances.
Michael is now making hand drums as a business, utilising deer and elk hides. He starts the process removing the flesh and hair, then scraping. The process takes 2 to 3 days before the skin is ready to be made into a drum. Michael is also making traditional grass dance regalia to perform at pow wows. Currently Michael is working as a roofer to help with the drum business. He lives with his girlfriend Julie Draper, who is also his partner in the business. They live outside of Grand Forks, B.C.
Julie Draper has been an artist and activist for the best part of her life. Born in Ontario, she began cartooning before she could print, then went on to drawing wildlife and farm animals. Basically self-taught, she was employed by a company designing toys and books for children, then began an exciting career as a scene painter for the Stratford Festival Theatre. Julie moved to Vancouver Island in the late ' 80's where she immediately got involved with a very active environmental group working to protect the ancient rainforests. The coastline mountains are being clearcut right to the shoreline, and peaceful protests have led to arrests and prison sentences. The trees and wildlife of B.C. are on the frontlines, and Julie expresses her compassion and honour for the wild ones with her art. She has painted canvasses, drums, murals, banners, designed tee shirts, art cards, and articles all advocating protection and respect for our Earth and wild relatives.
She especially loves to paint drums; they make beautiful canvasses and honours the deer and elk. Drumbeats are heartbeats and reminds us that we are all connected by our hearts. Julie now shares her life in the wilderness with her partner Michael and doggie, Quiet Seek, outside of Grand Forks, B.C. They are sharing the land with bears, deer, ravens, owls, snakes and mice. RavenBear Drums Box 2532 Grand Forks, B.C V0H 1H0 (250) 442-3931
Julie Draper
Help save the endangered Granby Grizzly! Send a free fax to the BC government at www.savethegrizzly.org
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