Charlie James (1867–1937) was a premier carver and painter from the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nation of British Columbia. Also known by his ceremonial name Yakuglas, he was a prolific artist and activist during a period of severe oppression for First Nations people in Canada.

Yakuglas’ Legacy examines the life of Charlie James. During the early part of his career James created works primarily for ritual use within Kwakwaka'wakw society. However, in the 1920s, his art found a broader audience as he produced more miniatures and paintings. Through a balanced reading of the historical period and James’ artistic production, Ronald W. Hawker argues that James’ shift to contemporary art forms allowed the artist to make a critical statement about the vitality of Kwakwaka'wakw culture. Yakuglas’ Legacy, aided by the inclusion of 123 colour illustrations, is at once a beautiful and poignant book about the impact of the Canadian project on Aboriginal people and their artistic response.

Ronald W. Hawker was formerly Associate Chair of the School of Critical and Creative Studies at the Alberta College of Art and Design and an associate professor in the Department of Art and Design at Zayed University. He now lives in Prince Edward Island.

Ronald W. Hawker's profile page

• Short-listed, The Basil Stuart-Stubbs Prize for Outstanding Book on British Columbia

“Many of the photographs in this book have not previously been published, and some works that have been reproduced before, such as [Charlie] James’s paintings, appear for the first time in color. Yakuglas’ Legacy: The Art and Times of Charlie James makes a major contribution to the literature on Northwest Coast Art that will support undergraduate research as well as the historical research of carvers themselves.”

First American Art Magazine, Summer 2017

‘Yakuglas’ Legacy is unreservedly recommended for community and academic library Canadian Art History collections and supplemental studies reading lists.’

Mid-West Book review January 2017