Tradition inspires Snuneymuxw builder – Canada.com

Tradition inspires Snuneymuxw builder

Qualicum Beach man designs caskets with culture in mind

By Dustin Walker, The Daily News May 26, 2010

A Qualicum Beach man hopes the caskets he builds will help preserve some of the ancient burial rites of the Salish people.

Tom Simpson said he and his family searched unsuccessfully for a casket that would symbolize his mother’s coastal First Nations heritage. After a stroke forced the accountant to retire early, he moved to the Qualicum First Nation and began Cedar Creek Caskets out of his home, where he builds coffins designed to be “a contemporary rendition of time-honoured traditions.”

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