Max Johnson

Chief Wakas Maxwell Johnson Sr. was born at Namu BC and is a member of the Heiltsuk Nation.  He was born on April 23, 1963 and lives in Bella Bella BC. He is a proud single dad of four children and two grandchildren. Through customary adoption, he is the grandfather to his grand nephew. He attended high school at Port Hardy and Bella Bella and completed his formal education at Heiltsuk College. He is a master artist and contributed to the painting of traditional artwork of the ceremonial Heiltsuk Big House.

He is a caretaker and custodian of the Big House. On December 20, 2019, he and his granddaughter Tori were arrested while they attempted to conduct business at the Bank of Montreal at Vancouver BC. Charges were laid and settled with the BC Tribunal and Canadian Human Rights Complaint and Office of Police Complaint Commissions. Max expressed that he wanted to educate people about the issues faced by First Nations people and their culture. Through his courage and determination, Max has created an awareness of and healing pathway regarding the problem of systemic racism of Indigenous people. He continues to be a major cultural leader through his art work, drumming, singing and practicing Heiltsuk ceremonies and practices.