I was working on this piece while venturing to my sister's place in Victoria [Vancouver Island] after attending a not so pleasant ceremony- a funeral.

So many people think Aboriginal life is about dancing naked in the wind while speaking to the bears and being bestowed names like "Thunder Woman" and "Cougar claw". In truth, it's the farthest thing from it. It's about living one's life and trying to survive- like all aboriginal cultures have done for thousands of years. People are so hung up about fake concepts like "animal spirits" and "spirit guardians" that don't even exist in the culture, that they forget that there are important aspects to learn- like how to lay one's kinsman down to rest for the final time.

As it is not appropriate to draw any of the regalia, or take photos, or to draw a person without their consent in the culture, this sketch was based of observation, but bears no similarities what so over to the people I drew, or their regalia. Never the less, at a very sacred event of a funeral, I wouldn't recreate the moment for a million dollars.
The two masks are my design, and the two men "empty featured"- meaning that their faces are very bland of outstanding characteristics.

What WAS depicted from reality, was the gestures and concept- two men were sitting patiently awaiting and accepting the arrival of the members paying homage to the deceased. They sat back to back- in comfort of one another.

The image is called "Twins Brothers" because the decision of the Moieties in the NWP vary with the cultural ethnic group in which one is akin to. In the northern part, Raven and Eagle are the two Moieties that are then divided into sub families. In the southern part, it is Raven and Wolf that are the two Moieties, and then divided into sub families.
While Eagle and Raven as Moieties is known as the "Lovebirds", Wolf and Raven as Moieties is known as the "Twin brothers".