Kwakwakawakw

Kwakwaka'wakw, also spelled Kwakwakawakw and historically known as the Kwakiutl, are a group of Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. They comprise many nations who share the Kwak'wala language and related cultural traditions. Their homeland lies along the central and northern coast of British Columbia, including northern Vancouver Island and parts of the adjacent mainland.

Language and social organization: They speak Kwak'wala, a Wakashan language with several dialects. Society is organized around hereditary chiefs and clan-based house groups, with a rich ceremonial life that includes potlatches and secret societies such as the Hamatsa.

Cultural expression: The Kwakwaka'wakw are renowned for carved cedar houses and totem poles, as well as ceremonial masks and button blankets used in dances and potlatches. Their winter ceremonies and intricate artwork have influenced both Indigenous and non-Indigenous art traditions.

History: First contacts with European explorers began in the 18th century. In 1885 the Canadian government banned potlatches under the Indian Act, a prohibition not lifted until 1951. The ban curtailed many ceremonies and the cultural economy, but revival efforts followed, along with efforts to repatriate artifacts.

Today: Kwakwaka'wakw communities continue language and cultural revitalization, operate cultural centers and carvers, and participate in regional Northwest Coast art and governance. They are part of ongoing discussions about land rights, heritage protection, and repatriation of sacred objects.