Question 1

What are the shipping options?

Accepted Answer

We live in Terrace, BC Canada, and currently only ship Canada wide. Contact us for more information or to inquire, and we may be able to accommodate the request.

[Please be aware that certain animal materials that may be present on the artworks maybe restricted in certain countries for sale or distribution.]

Some artworks will be more fragile and will need careful packaging. We cannot gaurentee that shipping will not damage items, but we will do our very best to package accordingly.

The NWCC team can drive purchased artworks to drop off for people local to Terrace BC, or within 2 hours of the area. Contact for more information, additional charges may apply for further distances. [Subject to availability]

For others accross Canada, we will use standard shipping, packaged well with free insurance on the shipping through Canada Post, and a tracking number will be provided. Contact for further details.

* as we register as a business in the coming weeks, free shipping and no tax will no longer be available.

Question 2

I'm interested in some items, but they are sold out. Will they be restocked?"

Accepted Answer

We create one of a kind, hand-made items. We will never reproduce the same items in the shop or otherwise. We may be inspired to create something similar or with a similar theme, but we will never reproduce the same item, aside from edition prints. So if you feel an attraction to a certain artwork, please reach out before its gone!

Question 3

What if the art isn't perfect and isn't what I wanted?

Accepted Answer

You have supported young, emerging indigenous artists who have limited opportunity in the north. They create art from their hearts, it is never perfect, and even the old art work we study is always a little off. These are part of our teachings.

If you have an issue with imperfections of the piece you purchased, you can contact us to inquire for trade, or you can gift it to someone who would appreciate all of the imperfections.

Question 4

Will you make me something if I request it and have a downpayment?

Accepted Answer

North West Coast Creatives is a small team of two who create one of a kind handmade items. Currently, commission work is not accepted but you are welcome to contact us for inquiry. We cannot gaurantee that your request will be granted.

Question 5

I have a specific question about a specific item, where do I get this information?"

Accepted Answer

In each description, we strive to include as much information as possible about sizing or materials used. However, please feel free to contact us with a quick inquiry email for specific details, and we’ll get back to you asap!

Question 6

I just placed an order, now what?"

Accepted Answer

We start working right away on getting your order out to you. Due to new COVID-19 guidelines for the post office, package delivery services, and international customs clearance, shipping times are now longer. Please allow 1-4 weeks for delivery within Canada.

In general, we will only contact you if there is a problem with your order. We track everything, but we only use the tracking numbers if an order hasn’t been delivered within the allotted timeframe. If you need an item by a certain deadline (for a gift, for example), please contact us before ordering so we can give you an up-to-date personalized accurate timeline for shipping and arrival. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

NOTE: We are not responsible for any items shipped to an incorrect address that you provided as your Ship To address. Please let us know immediately if the Ship To address is different than the one you provided at checkout. We also are not responsible for stolen packages; please contact your local post office about delivery options.

Question 7

I'm local, how long will it take for you to hand deliver it to me?"

Accepted Answer

We will contact you as soon as possible if you chose to have local delivery. Please allow 1-3 days for our small team to find a date that would work to drop the purchased item(s) off, or to work with you to find that specific date that you would like to recieve it. Please note that we cannot guarantee hand delivery of the art to longer distances at certain times (mostly during winter). Contact us, as we may be able to hand deliver to further addresses and places across turtle island at certain times of the year. Thank you for your understanding.

Question 8

I am not Indigenous or from a North West Coast nation, can I buy and wear the items from this store?"

Accepted Answer

We create artwork that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of background. Our artists know how to create items that draw from their northwest coastal backgrounds, yet do not include any sacred aspects that should never be sold. We definitely want non-indigenous people to purchase from local northwest coast artists as opposed to factory made knock offs, since these companies make a lot of money off of a caricature of our cultures.

When people buy from North West Coast Creatives, the money goes directly to the artists themselves, and supports a more authentic form of the continuation of northwest coast art. Also, when you buy art that includes story and statement, you are actively supporting the continuance of ancient Indigenous art practices of working responsibly with the environment around us. The artists are currently students away from home and appreciate your support that much more.

Question 9

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We gladly accept credit cards, debit cards, or PayPal account payments. You are not required to have a PayPal account to purchase from this store. You can pay with your debit or credit card: At checkout after putting in your contact information, select the blue 'Pay with PayPal' button. This will send you to the next screen where you can choose to use your credit or debit card instead. Your financial security is our highest priority.

Contact for trades.

Question 10

Will you answer all of my questions or ideas about north west coast art?

Accepted Answer

NWC Creatives attempts to share to some degree the 'meaning' and stories that is part of their art and cultures. However, our team never hopes to speak on behalf of their nations, communities, teachers, or the old makers. instead, we share our own contemporary stories and ways of expressing ourselves. We do not have the capaticy to answer all audience members questions about our own cultures ways or other cultures who share commonalities on the north west coast. We may provide resources or context with certain artworks, but please feel free to do your own prior research when looking to connect to a certain type of work or theme of work. Thank you for your understanding.

Question 11

How do I get my work included in the North West Coast Creatives website?

Accepted Answer

Currently, we are not looking to expand our business until we have figured out the platform and sales. We look forward to working with more artists, and to broadening this platform for other local northwest coast artists to share and sell their art work, but that possibliity will come in the next few years when we have a confident grip on how to best work with these additional northwest coast artists. Feel free to contact us for more information, or express interest in working with us.

Question 12

Is North West Coast Creatives eco-conscious?

Accepted Answer

YES

Every aspect of our production is considered. We make our own carving tools, we source local and sustainable wet and dry woods to carve, using found and collected materials to embellish artworks. We do use acrylic paint, which we are working toward substituting for clay and naturally sourced pigments. We may also need to use certain packaging to insure that the artwork does not get damaged on the way to its new owners.

We are always working toward finding better ways to stay eco-conscious, to better respect the inheriter's of the next generations.

Question 13

Why does NWC Creatives watermark all of its images of the artwork?

Accepted Answer

North West Coast Creatives needs to protect our intellectual property because there is a huge epidemic of continuous stolen indigenous artworks happening around the world.

We have witnessed our mentors artworks be photographed or stolen online from photos, only to be reproduced by non-indigenous people, with no connection to the subject, recreated in factories or machine made. We have witnessed these being sold as authenic on the streets for high prices, with many non-indigenous people standing around guard incase they are found out.

These disgraceful acts must stop.

One way to stop people like this from stealing our artwork- which is made chip by chip, using the methods taught to us by master carvers in our territories, all while thinking about our collective history and the on-going impacts of colonization- is to put watermarks on our works. We know this will not stop these disgraceful acts, we know it will not discourage those who hope to make a quick profit off of our hard work and imagination, but it is the only thing we can really do.

Please do not support artwork that is reproduced by non-indigenous people claiming these designs. This is appropriation, and our cultures have already suffered enough. Our art work is captivating, but northwest coast art is still recovering from the racist colonial policies that tried to destroy us. Therefore, there is only a small northwest coast art community, and we protect each other, and will not refrain from calling out those who wish to continue to exploit us. Thank you for your understanding.

Question 14

Is trading an option?

Accepted Answer

We love to support other indigenous-owned brands and artwork. Feel free to contact us for a trade inquiry. Please note not all trade inquiries will be accepted, and only trades from other indigenous artists or brands will be revieved. Thank you for your understanding.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions