Spirits of the Coast Orcas in science, art and history

"A magnificent journey alongside orcas, bringing these beautiful creatures to life." —Jay Ritchlin, David Suzuki Foundation

Spirits of the Coast brings together the work of marine biologists, Indigenous knowledge keepers, poets, artists, and storytellers, united by their enchantment with the orca.

Long feared in settler cultures as "killer whales," and respected and honored by Indigenous cultures as friends, family, or benefactors, orcas are complex social beings with culture and language of their own. With contributors ranging from Briony Penn to David Suzuki, Gary Geddes and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, this collection brings together diverse voices, young and old, to explore the magic, myths, and ecology of orcas.

A richly illustrated literary and visual journey through past and possibility, Spirits of the Coast illustrates how these enigmatic animals have shaped us as much as our actions have impacted them, and provokes the reader to imagine the shape of our shared future.

Dr. Martha Black has been the curator of Indigenous collections at the Royal BC Museum since 1997. Dr. Lorne Hammond has been the curator of history at the Royal BC Museum since 1997. Dr. Gavin Hanke is the curator of vertebrate zoology at the Royal BC Museum. Nikki Sanchez is a Pipil/Maya and Irish/Scottish academic, Indigenous media maker, and environmental educator.
With original essays and poetry by Ken Balcomb, Adam Bell, Lawrence Bell, bill bisset, Jason Colby, Rande Cook, Gary Geddes, Jess Housty, Steve Huxter, Marianne Ignace, Valeen Jules, Mark Leiren-Young, Jack Lohman, Misty MacDuffee, Alex Morton, Briony Penn, Paul Spong, David Suzuki, Severn Cullis-Suzuki and Jared Towers; artwork by Fanny Aïshaa, Jesse Campbell, Rande Cook, Frieda Diesing, Andy Everson, Christian Geissler, James Harry, Noelle Jones, Haley Kailiehu, Eric Mazimpaka, Paul Morstad, Art Thompson, Ray Troll, Chris von Szombathy, Santiago X and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, and photography by Lance Barrett-Lennard, April Bencze, Tavish Campbell, Holly Fearnbach, Steve Huxter, Jukka Jantunen, Emma Luck, Lillie Louise Major, Adrien Mullin, Jim Ryan, Jared Towers, Kyler Vos, Matt Whelan and Taylor Shedd.