Chris Arnett

Chris Arnett, author and carver has lived on Salt Spring Island since 1988. A member, through his father, of Ngai Tahu, the largest Maori tribe on the South Island of New Zealand, Arnett has a special empathy for aboriginals and their history. His mother is a third generation Vancouverite. Arnett’s heritage from both parents led to an avid interest in local history.

Arnett has worked for various native bands as a heritage consultant and he also taught First Nations Studies full time at Malsapina College.

Arnett has published the following historical books:

Terror of the Coast, Arnett’s most recent book was published in 1999 depicting the heritage of the Salishen people of the coast and interior.

Co-author of They Write Their Dream on the Rock Forever, published in 1993

Co-author of 4000 years of History of the Rainforest, published by the Sooke regional museum and archives in 1989

His next book Two Houses Half -Buried in Sand: the Popular Anthology of Beryl M. Cryer is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2007 by Talon Books

Chris, his wife Barb and their sons John and Carl can often be seen selling folk art at the Saturday Market or at their studio on Walker Hook, Salt Spring Folk Island Art.