William (Billy) Cook III

William Cook was born in Alert Bay and comes from a family of artists: his brother is established Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw artist Rande Cook, and his niece is emerging Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw artist Jazmine McCrimmon-Cook. He currently lives in Victoria and works in the traditional Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw style, and has worked with Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw artists Patrick Seaweed, Henry Nelson, and Frances Dick. William is primarily a jeweller, but he began creating cedar panels in 2013.

William was born in Alert Bay, on the northern tip of Vancouver Island, on June 23rd 1974. He is part of the 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation. He was raised by his parents, Karen & Willie Cook, who come from very large families. William was raised in the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw tradition by his grandparents, Florence and Gus Matilpi, who he thanks for his cultural education. His grandfather Gus handed a high ranking dance called the Hamasta down to him, which he is very proud to own. William learned how to draw as a young man through Fran Dick and his grandpa Gus. William then moved to Victoria for high school and to pursue a soccer career, which led him to travel the word playing matches. At the age of 19 he started to carve jewellery. His influences include Patty Seaweed and Henry Nelson. William has a few native names: Malidzas is his everyday name, and Tanis is his name as a dancer. He is a strong Kwaguith man and family always comes first.