Virgil “Smoker” Marchand

Virgil “Smoker” Marchand of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Arrow Lakes was encouraged to pursue art by his brother, who helped him enroll at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. After graduating in 1971, he explored many artistic expressions before discovering his love of steel sculptures.

Marchand has been depicting his people’s traditions through paintings and steel sculptures for almost 50 years. Depictions of the Arrow Lakes Band Coville Tribe have been put on display along highways, parks and buildings across the Pacific Northwest and Canada.

“I never limited myself to one thing, but the steelwork was hands down my favorite. I was capturing the history and culture of my people throughout Washington state, and I loved it.” - Virgil “Smoker” Marchand

His friend Kenneth “Butch” Stanger (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation), who has known Smoker for 60 years, nominated him for the First Peoples Fund Community Spirit Award (CSA).

“Smoker may be local to us, but his talent should be shared with the entire country. He has done many paintings of our people, tribal leaders — art that depicts our culture and traditions. Everyone deserves a chance to experience Smoker’s art.” - Butch Stanger