Tyler York facts for kids

Tyler York (whose Haida name is StllnG̲a) is a talented artist from Haida Gwaii, a beautiful group of islands in British Columbia, Canada. He is a skilled woodcarver and an amazing actor. Tyler is a member of the Haida people, an Indigenous group with a rich culture and history.

Meet Tyler York: Actor and Carver

His Acting Career

Tyler York became well-known for his role in the film Edge of the Knife (which is called SG̲aawaay Ḵʹuuna in the Haida language). What makes this movie special is that it was filmed entirely in the Haida language! For his excellent performance in the film, Tyler won an important award. He received the Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor in a Canadian Film at the 2018 Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards.

To prepare for the movie, Tyler and the other actors had to learn the Haida language. They spent two weeks in a special training camp. They continued to learn and practice the language throughout the five weeks of filming. This helped them bring the story to life in a very real way.

A Talented Carver

Besides acting, Tyler York is also a gifted woodcarver. He learned his carving skills by working as an apprentice under a famous artist named Jaalen Edenshaw. An apprentice is someone who learns a skill from a master.

Together, Tyler and Jaalen worked on a very special project: carving a totem pole. Totem poles are tall, carved monuments that tell stories or represent important family histories in Indigenous cultures. Their totem pole was the first new one to be put up in the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site in over a hundred years! This was a huge honor and a big step in keeping Haida traditions alive.

Beyond Art: Basketball

When he's not acting or carving, Tyler York also enjoys playing basketball. He is known on the court as a "crowd favorite" because people love to watch him play. He is also described as a "fierce competitor," meaning he plays with a lot of energy and determination.