On Sunday, May 13, 2007, the Nuyumbalees Society reopened the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre, formerly the Kwagiulth Museum and Cultural Centre, in conjunction with a ceremony and blessing of the newly constructed Ah-Wah-qwa-dzas (“A Place To Relax and Tell Stories”) on the waterfront of the Cape Mudge Village. 

 

The Nuyumbalees Society was founded in 1975 by Hereditary and Elected Chiefs of the Kwa’Kwa’Ka’Wa’Kw People, to negotiate the return of their Potlatch Artifacts and Regalia (kikasuw).  The Society has been entrusted with the care and preservation of a priceless and historic collection of original Kwa’kwa’ka’wa’kw Artifacts returned in February, 1979.   The Doors of the Kwagiulth Museum and Cultural Centre were opened shortly thereafter, in June 1979.  Cultural preservation, protection, revitalization and education activities took place during the next 23 years.

 

The Cultural Centre was closed several years ago for the completion of major renovations which were required to meet the building code and inspection requirements at the time and to meet the standards for environmental control and lighting for the protection of artifacts on display.  These renovations were undertaken over a period of several years and the estimated cost to date for these renovations is approximately $750,000. 

 

Cultural education and promotion continued during the closure in the form of story line development for the exhibit and display of the Potlatch Collection of artifacts, Design and Carving of the Ah-Wah-qwa-dzas, and promotional and educational activities and appearances undertaken by Board Members, such as school presentations, the development of educational DVD’s, maintaining relationships and communications within the community, attending various meetings, conferences and workshops, and acting as a cultural resource for the community.

 

The Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre, Ah-Wah-qwa-dzas, Carving and Education Centre are the foundation for Education and Teaching for the Preservation and Restoration of the Kwa’kwa’ka’wa’kw Culture and Language. 

 

Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre is enjoyed by visitors from around the world, students, elders and community members on a daily basis.  All activities undertaken are in keeping with the Society’s objectives,

 

The Nuyumbalees Society’s objectives are:

 

• To collect, preserve and display Native artifacts of cultural, artistic and historic value to the Kwa’kwa’ka’wa’kw people.
• To promote and foster carving, dancing ceremonials and other cultural and artistic activities engaged in the Kwa’kwa’ka’wa’kw people.
• To collect, record and make available information and records relating to the language and history of the Kwa’kwa’ka’wa’kw people.
• To recover from other institutions and individuals, artifacts and records of cultural, artistic and historical value to the Kwa’kwa’ka’wa’kw people.
• To promote, design, construct, build, repair, expand and maintain facilities and to acquire by purchase, lease or otherwise lands for such facilities, for the carrying out of the above objectives of the Society.

 

 

Cultural Preservation and Revitalization

The cultural preservation work of the Nuyumbalees Society has been on-going since the Society’s inception in 1974.  The work has involved working towards the return of artifacts (kikasuw) to the community, recording and archiving artifacts and maintaining the records and documentation for artifacts, ensuring the preservation artifacts, developing story lines and story boards for display cases, building display cases, mounting artifacts for display, translating the stories and writings to document the history of the Kwa’kwa’ka’wa’kw People.  Staff training and education has also been done on an on-going basis to ensure that training and education are up to date. 

 

Major renovations have been undertaken to maintain the standards for climate control and humidity control, proper lighting for the preservation and protection of the artifacts, purchase of display new display cases, and other structural renovations. 

 

Collections Management activities have been on-going since the return of artifacts from the ‘Potlatch Collection’ were returned in 1979.  Exhibits preparation training, Conservation training and Curatorial activities have also been undertaken by both Board and Staff members.   

 

Cultural Education and Revitalization Programs

 

The Cultural Program Coordinator conducts research activities to plan program activities for the year, provides guided tours through the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre and Ah-Wah-qwa-dzas and Kwi Kwi Gillas Cultural Education Centre.  The coordinator works with the Cultural Specialists, Elders and Community members to plan and coordinate culturally appropriate activities that are in harmony with the goals and objectives of the Society and that support the preservation revitalization of the language, culture, history and traditions of the Kwa’kwa’ka’wa’kw People.

 

Activities for Schools:

Students who visit as part of a school activity are told stories about the process involved in carving totems, the designs, tools and implements, they make rubbings of a petroglyph cast, hear local legends in storytelling and then enjoy a tour through the Cultural Centre and learn about the artifacts on display. 

 

A variety of cultural education programs are undertaken annually to preserve, protect and revitalize the language, culture and history of the Kwa’kwa’ka’wa’kw People.  Development of a Cultural Resource Binder,

 

Carving and  Educational Centre

The Carving and Educational Centre is open for artists and carvers to work and develop their craft, share knowledge and exchange ideas.  This provides an opportunity for the public who attend the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre to observe artists at work.  Visitors can learn directly from the artist about the process, the tools they use, the history of each piece, carving or painting and designs, along with the any stories that the artists are willing to share, as they relate to each piece being worked on at the time.

 

Language Preservation

Story boards for the exhibits and signs in the building are in both English and Kwakwala, signage.  Efforts to preserve the language are also an integral part of the Society’s activities.

 

Archival Footage in the Lower Gallery Theatre

Archival footage has always been available for the public to watch in the lower gallery of the Cultural Centre.  Archival reels and videos provide an excellent educational tool for visitors to learn about the culture, language and history of the Kwa’kwa’ka’wa’kw people.

 

Ah-Wah-qwa-dzas

The Ah-Wah-qwa-dzas (a place to relax and tell stories) is beautifully designed with totems designed and carved by local artists, with a fire pit in the centre for Traditional Salmon BBQ demonstrations.  It is a beautiful setting in which to share the language, culture and traditions of the Kwa’kwa’ka’wa’kw People.  It has been recently constructed and will be a focal point for the Cultural preservation and revitalization work of the Nuyumbalees Society and is a wonderful component of the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre.