Grand Hall tour

Nuxalk Exhibit

(Nuxalk House - interior)

The exhibit in the Nuxalk house explores the meaning of family histories to the Nuxalk people - both in the past and present day. Developed in cooperation with members of the Nuxalk community at Bella Coola, the exhibit presents the masks which embody the rights and privileges inherited by contemporary Nuxalk people from their ancestors.

S92-4404 Most of the Nuxalk masks were collected in the 1920s. They derive their meaning, however, from the stories which connect families with supernatural ancestors. That meaning remains important today. The masks were used by costumed dancers who acted out stories about the history of their people.

At the rear of the house stands a large carving, shown in turn-of-the-century dress and a modified potlatch hat. The figure is 3 metres high, with out-stretched arms 7 metres in length. Originally this figure stood in the house of a Nuxalk man, Captain Schooner. His house was a few doors away from the original Clellamin house. The figure stood against the rear wall of the house, its outstretched arms appearing to hold up the roof beams. It was purchased by Harlan I. Smith for the Museum in 1920.