B.C. First Nations artist Roy Henry Vickers headed to Grammys

Roy Henry Vickers, a First Nations artist from Hazelton, B.C. is off to the Grammysthis weekend, where he has been nominated for his design work on a 19-discbox setof recordings by legendary band The Grateful Dead.

Vickers was nominated in thecategory ofBest Boxed or SpecialLimited Edition Package, which recognizes the work of art directors.

The northern B.C. artist earned the nomination for his artworkfor a box set with the recordings of the band's tourof the Pacific Northwest in 1973 and 1974.

"I wasn't expecting this at all and didn't even think there was such a thing as a Grammy for visual art," said Vickers.

"I'm overwhelmed [and] very excited, with a little bit of nervousness."

Sharing culture

The box setfeatureselements of psychedelic rock blended with classical northwest Indigenous art in the style of a bentwood box a traditional wooden chest that is used in potlatchceremonies.

Vickers told Daybreak Northhost Carolina de Ryk heis looking forward to sharing his art withthe people who watch theGrammys.

"With this happening I am reaching so many people," said VIckers.

When Vickers was growing up, he said he faced discrimination at school, so he began to study his ancestry and fell in love with Pacific Northwest coast art, inspiring him to become an artist.

He is known for mixingtraditional with contemporary, and draws inspiration from hisHaida, Tsimshian,Heiltsuk, English andIrish heritage.

Vickers has completed dozens of totem poles, published several books, and has a gallery in Tofino with his name.

"In 44 years of working to teach people about the Pacific Northwest coast art and culture, here [at the Grammys]it's all happening so fast and with so many people," he said.

Red carpet regalia

Vickers has big plans for the red carpet. For the Grammy awards ceremony, he'll weara suit, but for the red carpet event, he plans toweartraditional regalia.

"I know the cameras will probably go crazy, because they will never have seen a traditional Northwest Coast chief with headdress, and button blanketand apron," said Vickers.

He plans to walk thered carpet with Chief Ted Walkus,one of the hereditary chiefs of theWuikinuxv First Nation, who will also be wearing his regalia.

The show

Vickers has never met the band members of Grateful Dead, but he hopes to this weekend.

Winning, he said, is not that important. "Just being nominated is being a winner."