Rick Williams, the older brother of John T. Williams, a traditional woodcarver who was shot to death by a police officer, has been named one of the most influential people in 2011 by Seattle Magazine.

John Williams, who was a member of the Dididaht First Nation of British Columbia, was killed on August 30, 2010. The incident galvanized the Native and non-Native communities.

"When protests turned violent, the elder brother of John T. Williams effectively intervened, earning praise from, among others, Seattle’s mayor, police chief and police guild president," Seattle Magazine says.

Rick Williams led the carving of two memorial totem poles that will be placed in Seattle.

Get the Story:
Seattle's Most Influential People of 2011: First Nations wood carver Rick Williams (Seattle Magazine November 2011)

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