W’ui’kinuxv History  

 For thousands of years, W’ui’kinuxv citizens have been living in the area surrounding Rivers Inlet in an Indigenous territory known as the Land of the Hamaca. W'ui'kinuxv cultural history is rich with ceremony, family stories and extensive harvests of diverse species from seafood to plants. Sharing territory, the W'ui'kinuxv and grizzly bear enjoy salmon as an important source of nutrition. 

Among Kwakwaka'wakw, the sacred Hamatsa Society is the most prestigious of the four Indigenous secret societies on the Pacific northwest coast. Within the Hamatsa Society, W’ui’kinuxv citizens held high ranks and were sought after for marriage. Originating in W'ui'kinuxv, the Hamatsa Dance Society spread up and down the coast through marriage. As a result, many can recognize the songs and dances as originating from W’ui’kinuxv.  

 In 2005, W’ui’kinuxv built the House of Nuaqvawa, a big house that provides the space for cultural activities. It represents the resiliency of the W'ui'kinuxv to revitalize their culture despite historical settler impacts in Canadian history. Since 2005, the W'ui'kinuxv have hosted potlatches, feasts, community gatherings, funerals and General Assemblies at the House of Nuaqvawa.