Enrich your spirit
Experience Authentic W’ui’kinuxv Culture
The W’ui’kinuxv hold a deep respect for wildlife and the environment. Traditional protocols are guided by the sùya’aima (“things one can reach for”). As our guest you may be offered the unique opportunity to experience ceremonies in the House of Nuùw̓aqawa including dancing, feasting, singing, storytelling, smudging, healing, sharing circles and cleansing. Other activities might include fishing, harvesting, observing carvers and site seeing. Guests of H’aiagal’ath Grizzly Bear Tours will be personally contributing to Indigenous reconciliation by supporting W’ui’kinuxv through a cultural revitalization process.
Də̀ǹy̓as (Western Red Cedar) harvested within W’ui’kinuxv Territory provides the k̓ìi’anux̌v (carver) with rich material required for building canoes (H̀lw̓a: ocean-going; Hc̓à’ai: river; Hàk̓vəna: small), story poles (exterior, house, mortuary) and Big House elements.
Photo: Alexander Chartrand
He was born March 15, 1900 at a former W’ui’kinuxv reserve site on the Waanukv (River) known as Zàw̓ias (Oolichan Town). Aikemuya Jack Johnson was a descendant of the house called the Whale’s Tail at Kitit (Smoke House Island; Kitit translates “to become grass”). Jack was a Hereditary Chief, cultural ceremonial dancer, historian, carver, artist, composer and storyteller.
Photo: Harry Hawthorn fonds, Archives, UBC Museum of Anthropology
W’ui’kinuxv use the bark of də̀ǹy̓as (Western Red Cedar) for other items including clothing and də̀ny̓acəm (cedar bark baskets).
Photo: Alexander Chartrand
On Turtle Island (North America), Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) can be found growing in temperate rainforests along the coast. The decline in old-growth cedar forests has led to a significant loss of cultural, ecological and economic values.
Dugout cedar canoe, Rivers Inlet. Photo: Andrew Johnson, 2005
The iconic Western Red Cedar is the official tree of British Columbia. It carries tremendous cultural significance to Indigenous Peoples along the coast.
Canoe bailer (Nb3.1455). Collection, UBC Museum of Anthropology. Photo: Derek Tan, UBC Museum of Anthropology
This pole, carved by Aikemuya George Johnson, is called Kùikuastua (Sitting Weir the Eagle). Eagle announces when the Salmon are coming at each season. The pole tells the story of the four seasons and how they support W’ui’kinuxv livelihood. Different seasons mark the coming of the different salmon species: maìkəm (Spring Salmon) in the spring, mlhìk (Sockeye Salmon in the summer, zuw̓ə̀n (Coho Salmon) in the fall, ǧvàx̌ənis (Chum or Dog Salmon) in the winter. George used four Johnson family crests in the pole. Each crest carries a Salmon. The pole is now complete and will be erected at Duncanby Lodge, in W’ui’kinuxv Territory when COVID risks have passed.
Story of the Logo
Our logo embodies H’aiagal’ath’s sacred connection to W'ui’kinuxv land and resources. Two Grizzly Bears hold copper and a salmon. This image is immersed in a green background represents the rich forested lands and the interconnectedness of humans, wildlife, waterways and lands within W’ui’kinuxv Territory. Grizzlies are keepers of the land and share the responsibility of stewardship with W’ui’kinuxv citizens. The salmon represents the abundance of resources and the delicate balance that must be maintained to ensure that life is sustained. The copper (t̓hàqva) is a means of expressing wealth. Individual names of W’ui’kinuxv demonstrate the sacred connection to the land and resources. They give us the power and authority to carry on our sacred ceremonies that uplift ourselves, our families, our clans and the W’ui’kinuxv while we maintain sustainable stewardship of our land, water, resources and all life in the Territory.
W’ui’kinuxv Artist: Danny Coon, 2020
