Coast Salish carver who was sitting near the ocean, wood peelings all around him.
This will end up being quite a valuable talking stick, once the carving
and painting is complete.
The talking stick was used in Native North American tribes at council meetings.
It was used as courtesy to not interrupt a chief when he was speaking.
The talking stick was then passed to the next council member who wished to speak.
Many non-native people collect talking sticks for their beauty.