bild
Corey Bulpitt (33) was born in Prince Rupert and belongs to the Haida / Masset band (tribe) At two years old he was adopted by a British family in Langley. 'When I was 4 years old I was on holiday and a girl came to me and said in the early days you were our slaves. This was when I realized I was native. Since I was 14 years I came often to Vancouver and started graffiti, when I was 19 I met my real parents for the first time and I learned from a local master native art. Since I was 18 I can make a living from my art, I make totem poles, masks and panels. I call myself AKOS (Another Korruption Of Society). As a hobby I collect vintage transformers, I have about 400 of them.'.In Canada there are currently 630 recognized First Nations governments, the total population is about 700,000 of which half lives in British Colombia and Ontario. life in the reserves is difficult where unemployment is high, specially since the 2008 crisis. Many young First Nations move to Vancouver in the hope for a better life. They try to maintain their culture and identity in the big city and many make a livings as artists. (KEYSTONE/NOOR/Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR)