Chief Wilie Seaweed is one of the most well-known Kwakwaka’wakw carvers from the Nax’waxda’xw community. He was born in 1873 in Tigwaxsti but grew up in Blunden Harbour, where he lived until his death in 1967.

Seaweed was one of the lucky few in this generation not to be sent to a residential school. He was instead educated in the Kwakwaka’wak community, learning the art of carving and the Kwak’wala language. Though it is customary for members of the community to learn carving from an older family member, Seaweed’s father passed before he was born. It is unclear who trained him, but it may have been Johnny Davis, his half brother. Due to the passing of his father, Seaweed inherited the title of Chief at a very young age. He was a well-respected member of the community, not only due to his status as Chief, but also for his carving and his career as a fisherman.

Seaweed is known for his distinctive carving style. He used traditional Kwakwaka’wakw methods, as well as incorporating his own personal style. His work is often unsigned, but can be identified through his use of compasses and straight edges to make precise and symmetrical designs. Seaweed used compasses to make his distinctive eyes, formed of three concentric and symmetrical circles often outlined with red. When looking closely, it is sometimes possible to see the pin points left behind by the compass used to make these perfect circles. He is also known for painting the inside of his masks as well as the outside and for fitting his masks to the specific face of the wearer.