Kwakwakaʼwakw

The Kwakwakaʼwakw, also known as the Kwakiutl, are an indigenous group from the Pacific Northwest Coast in southwestern Canada. Most of them live on northern Vancouver Island, nearby islands like the Discovery Islands, and on the mainland of British Columbia. Some also live in cities such as Victoria and Vancouver.

The Kwakwakaʼwakw have their own language called Kwakʼwala. Today, the Kwakwakaʼwakw are organized into 13 band governments, working together to preserve their traditions and way of life.

Name

The name Kwakiutl comes from Kwaguʼł, a single community of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw located at Fort Rupert. A scientist named Franz Boas used this name for the whole group.

Many people prefer the name Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw, which means "Kwakʼwala"-speaking peoples". One group, the Laich-kwil-tach at Campbell River, calls themselves the Southern Kwakiutl. Their council is the Kwakiutl District Council.

History

The Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw have a rich history with stories passed down for many years. Their ancestors, called ʼnaʼmima, arrived as animals from the land, sea, and underground. When they reached a special place, they changed into people. Famous creatures in these stories include the Thunderbird, his brother Kolas, the seagull, orca, grizzly bear, and chief ghost. Some ancestors came from faraway lands.

In the past, the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw fished, hunted, and gathered food. They were good at weaving and woodwork. They held special ceremonies called potlatches, where they gave away wealth to show their status. The first Europeans to meet them were with Captain George Vancouver in 1792. Sadly, diseases brought by settlers lowered their population in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw work to bring back their traditions, language, and art. Potlatches happen more often, and they use classes and events to teach their language. Artists help bring back their culture and art forms.

Divisions

Each Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw nation has its own clans, chiefs, history, culture, and peoples. Even though they are different, they share many similarities with other Kwakʼwala-speaking nations.

Society

The Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw people live closely together in big groups called communities or bands. Families are very important, and they live in groups called naʼmima, meaning "of one kind." Each family has special jobs and duties.

Leaders and roles were passed down in families. They had different levels of status, based on family ties. They valued land, hunting, and fishing grounds, which were shared for many generations.

They traded with nearby groups and used special items like copper for ceremonies and decorations. Copper was very valuable and used in events called potlatches, where people gave gifts. These traditions helped keep their community strong.

Culture

The Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw are a group of people from the Pacific Northwest, made up of many separate nations. Each nation had its own leader called a head chief, with many clan or family chiefs below him. Some nations also had special Eagle Chiefs for certain ceremonies.

The Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw are one of the few cultures where family rights could pass through either the father's or mother's side. Traditionally, they had three classes: nobles, commoners, and slaves. They shared many traditions with nearby groups such as the Nuu-chah-nulth, Heiltsuk, Wuikinuxv and some Coast Salish.

Language

The Kwakʼwala language is part of the Wakashan language family. It was first recorded in the 18th century, but serious study began with Franz Boas in the late 19th and early 20th century. The use of Kwakʼwala declined due to Canadian government policies that forced Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw children to attend residential schools and speak only English. Today, few people still speak Kwakʼwala, mostly older adults. Efforts are being made to bring the language back, but there are challenges.

Arts

Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw art includes many crafts such as totems, masks, textiles, jewellery, and carved objects. They used cedar wood for carving because it was easy to find. Totem poles could be very tall, up to 40 feet. Masks are important for dances. They also made special blankets and clothing designs.

Music

Kwakwakaʼwakw music is an old tradition used in ceremonies. It uses drums, rattles, and whistles. The Klasila festival is a big event with songs, dances, and masks.

Ceremonies and events

Potlatch

The potlatch is a special celebration still practiced by the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw. It was once banned by Canadian law, but the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw kept their traditions alive. Today, potlatches are held often as families continue their ancestral ways.

Housing and shelter

The Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw built big houses from cedar planks, up to 100 feet long. These houses could hold about 50 people, usually from the same family. They often had totem poles at the entrance.

Clothing and regalia

In summer, men wore little clothing except jewellery. In winter, they used fat to stay warm. For battles, they wore armor made from red cedar. For ceremonies, they wore special cedar clothing. Women wore skirts made from softened cedar and blankets in winter.

Transportation

The Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw travelled mainly by canoe. They made canoes from cedar logs for both long trips and short travels between villages. Some canoes had buffalo fur inside to keep warm in cold weather.

Notable Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw

The Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw people have produced many talented people.

Alfred Scow was the first Aboriginal person to become a lawyer and a judge in British Columbia. Artists like Sonny Assu, Beau Dick, Gord Hill, Calvin Hunt, Henry Hunt, Richard Hunt, Tony Hunt Sr., Mungo Martin, David Neel, Ellen Neel, and Marianne Nicolson are famous for their wood carvings and other artwork.

Other important people include Quesalid, a medicine man and writer, Spencer O'Brien, an Olympic snowboarder, James Sewid, a writer, and Jody Wilson-Raybould, a politician.