Native Art winner in Ice Sculpting (NNSL)

Fort Simpson artist takes gold at Carnaval de Quebec

Snow sculptors will compete in international competition next year 

Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, February 10, 2011

QUEBEC CITY - A Fort Simpson artist used his sculpting skills to help a First Nation team win first place in the national snow sculpture competition at Carnaval de Quebec. 

Randy Sibbeston of Fort Simpson was part of the three-person team that created this snow sculpture that won first place in the national snow sculpture competition at Carnaval de Quebec. - photo courtesy of Randy Sibbeston

Randy Sibbeston along with Dewey Smith of Ottawa and Dylan Smith of Thunder Bay, Ont., spent two days creating the winning snow sculpture. The sculpture, which was based on a creation myth, depicted a raven transforming into a woman in order to give birth to the first peoples.

"It was a big surprise for all of us," said Sibbeston about the win.

"It was a pretty big thrill."

Sibbeston got his start in snow sculpting as a child at the annual Beavertail Jamboree in Fort Simpson. In 2006, Sibbeston, now a professional sculptor, entered the national snow sculpting competition at Ottawa's Winterlude festival with John Sabourin and Eli Nasogaluak.

The team didn't win in their first year but came back to take first place in 2007. It was this victory that brought Sibbeston to Dewey Smith's attention.

Smith, a totem pole carver, has been creating snow sculptures for more than 17 years. Through his work as a senior policy adviser to the Assembly of First Nations' national chief, Smith was approached by the Carnaval de Quebec organizers to put together a First Nations team to compete at the festival.

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