John M. Tatum Jr.

John M. Tatum Jr. was a Tsimshian carver born in 1953 in Toledo, Oregon and died in 2023 in Ketchikan, Alaska. He grew up connected to his cultural heritage and tradition through his family ties to Metlakatla. Metlakatla is the only Indian reservation in Alaska and is located on Annette Island, twenty miles west of Ketchikan.

John started carving as young boy learning many of his carving techniques from his father and other family members. Throughout his career, John has advanced his talent by attending Northwest Coast design classes at the Totem Heritage Center in Ketchikan as well as participating in Native art workshops and symposiums, studying with some of the most renowned Northwest Coast artists.

John is recognized for his design work, commitment to detail and representing his Tsimshian culture. He is particularly known for creating halibut hooks. The Tsimshian and other Northwest Coast Native peoples are noted for the ingenious design of this innovative tool used for subsistence fishing for thousands of years.

An original Northwest Coast Native halibut hook is made from two pieces of wood. The pieces are lashed together to form a V shape. The upper arm is carved from a lightweight wood like yellow cedar. It floats above the lower arm that is carved from a heavier wood like yew or alder. When fishing, the upper arm is level while the lower arm is positioned at an angle facing towards the bottom. A barb is attached to the upper arm, and bait is wrapped around the arm.

As was customary, John carves a formline design image of an animal on the lower arm of the hook and paints the design with traditional colors. When floating in the correct position, the carving faces downward in the halibut’s direct line of sight. It is crucial that the halibut sees the carving, as this spiritual element and expression of beauty and respect helps to motivate the fish to bite the hook. John’s hooks are stunning works of functional art and expressions of his cultural heritage .