Born in 1957, Chuck Peter Heit (who goes by Ya’Ya) came to be a professional artist by way of an artistic family legacy. As a child, Heit naturally gravitated towards drawing. He was amazed when his aunt, artist Doreen Jensen, told him that his uncle, Gitxsan chief Walter Harris, was a famous artist. This discovery led him to the voracious pursuit of art study and creation, which included an apprenticeship under his uncle. Following his studies at the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Art near Hazelton, BC, Heit was immediately hired as an instructor at age 18. He trained further with both Robert and Reg Davidson for two years, assisting with carving such important works as Three Watchmen, a pole installed outside of the National Gallery of Canada.

Based in Kispiox, BC, Ya’Ya is deeply involved in political issues. He played an important role working with the Gitxsan nation on the historic Delgamuukw v. British Columbia case in 1997. In addition to carving, Heit is also highly regarded for his metal work, in particular his skillful repoussé pieces which involve slowly stretching out the metal by hammering it from the back.

Heit’s work has been included in several major exhibitions including Topographies at the Vancouver Art Gallery in 1996 and Changing Hands: Art Without Reservation 2 at the Museum of Art and Design in New York in 2005.