Wayne Siebert

Henry Wayne Siebert was born September 16, 1943 in Vancouver B.C. Canada to Clifford C. Siebert and Helen E. Siebert (Pearlstrom). His father Clifford is from Jamestown North Dakota and of Blackfoot/German descent and his mother Helen is from Vancouver B.C. Canada and of Swedish/Norwegian descent.   

Wayne has six children ages 50, 48, 47, 47, 10, 7,  all of which are girls. 

Wayne’s family moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan soon after he was born and stayed there until Wayne was 6 years old.  Around 1950 Wayne's family moved to Sardis B.C. Canada onto the Mallory Reservation where he would attend School and make some of his first long lasting connections with the First Nations people.

Wayne is a man of many talents and skills.  At the age of 15 Wayne became a licensed Taxidermist.  He remained in the taxidermy field for over 50 years.  Wayne worked for his father's professional painting company at the age of 14 and became the youngest certified journeyman painter in B.C. Canada at the age of 17. 

Wayne was living on his own and attending Chilliwack High School at the age of 16.  He was holding down multiple jobs, playing varsity sports and serving as class president. 

After graduating from Chilliwack High School in 1961 Wayne attended the University of British Columbia and achieved his Professional Teaching Certificate in 1973.  He wanted to be an artist and excelled in wood carving but decided teaching would pay the bills.

Wayne taught in the Chilliwack B.C. Canada school district as a  Math, P.E., and Wood Shop teacher.  He also coached the Track and Field team and Soccer team to many championships.

In 1979 Wayne developed the C.H.A.N.C.E. Alternative School Program for First Nations 16 and under youth. The program helped them develop life skills/goals to move onto higher education or the job market.  It also helped them to become more productive and successful community members and leaders.  This program was one of the first pioneering alternative school programs in B.C. 

Wayne was introduced to native drum making around 1961 by Carl Akers.  Carl owned Akers Taxidermy (1955-2015)  Carl was a mentor, employer, father figure and someone Wayne looked up to throughout his life.  Carl supplied and traded with many native bands and nations for their raw material needs for ceremonies and arts.

Wayne went on to develop his own drum/rattle making skills and style over the last 62 years.

As a side note in 1968 Wayne created a fake Bigfoot for a traveling carnival. He was paid $750 for the job. The traveling circus put the creature on ice and on display. Sometime later Wayne was contacted by the F.B.I. to verify the validity of the Sasquatch. Then the radio station called.  Wayne was so good at his job he almost landed himself in jail and had to prove he made a fake!

Wayne's drums and rattles are sought out and have been used by many well known First Nation artists such as :  Richard Hunt, Calvin Hunt, Eugene Hunt,  John Livingston, Susan Point, Randy Cook, Pat Amos and so many others,  Wayne's work can be seen in galleries and museums all over the U.S., Canada, Europe and major motion films.

One of the biggest native art influences on Wayne's life and career was Eugene Hunt.  Eugene was the son of Chief Thomas Hunt of the Kwakwaka'wakw (Kwakiutl) Nation.  Eugene and Wayne shared more than 25 years of friendship, commercial fishing and a love for native art.  Eugene and his family welcomed Wayne into their home and community.  Because of this, Wayne's life has been forever influenced by the First Nations people and he will be forever grateful.