Alert Bay » Sites & the Cultural Tours

The U'mista Cultural Centre
Admission: $5
tel: 250.974.5403

1.800.690.8222

info@umista.ca
www.umista.org
Address: 1.2miles north of the ferry on Front Street

The U'mista Cultural Centre is about 1 kilometre from the ferry terminal.  As you are coming into Alert Bay it is to your left, nest to the big brick residentioal schoold building, on the beach.  The interpretive centre houses a now-returned collection of Potlatch regalia confiscated by the Federal Government in the early part of the century. These ceremonies that marked impertant births, deaths, marriages and transfers of names went underground.  In 1980 approximately half of the collection held by the Museum of Man, was returned to Alert Bay after the construction of the U’mista Cultural Centre.

The ceremonial regalia, including coppers, masks, rattles and whistles were confiscated and distributed amongst museums and private collections throughout North America. Much of the repatriated collection is now on display at the cultural centre. Also featured are traveling exhibits and a collection of videos dealing with Potlatch prohibition and cultural survival.

The U'mista Cultural Society was incorporated under the British Columbia Societies Act on March 22, 1974. Since that time, it has worked towards fulfilling the mandate to ensure the survival of all aspects of cultural heritage of the Kwakwaka'wakw.

The Centre offers other exhibits of traditional and contemporary arts and crafts. Its’ well-stocked gift shop boasts a wide variety of works by Kwakwaka’wakw artist’s jewelry and carvings. Guided tours of the center (Mon., Tues., Sat.) also feature dancing, films, or demonstrations of traditional food preparation (reservations required).

Tsasala Cultural Group Traditional Dance Performance
Admission: $15
tel: 250-974-5475
Address: Alert Bay Big House

email: maxinux@island.net    

July 3-August 23, 2008

Thursday’s-Saturday’s 1:15 PM-2:15 PM

Contact:  Andrea Cranmer

During July and August, the T'sasala Cultural Group performs regularly in the community’s Big House. All dances and songs are presented with pride and have the Elders approval, and remain unchanged since receiving them from their creator. The most important of the sacred dances, is the Hamat'sa or cannibal dance. This dance is the re-enactment of a young mans possession by a cannibal spirit living at the North end of the world. Dance and Songs, along with rituals, tame the man, bringing him back to his human self.

The Traditional Big House, primarily used for Potlatch's, is venue to witness this traditional native song and dance performance and is the only way visitors will ever get to see inside, as it is closed to viewing of the public. The dance performance embraces the dances of their people, the dances which come from the Tseka-red cedar bark ceremony and the T’lasala Ceremony peace dance. When visitors leave this ceremony they will have experienced smoke from the ceremonial house, and interactions with the group.

Donna and Andrea Cranmer founded the T’sasala Cultural Group Traditional Dancers in 1997. The group has toured both nationally and internationally and is most widely known for their performance of The Breath of Our Grandfathers, which interprets the highlights of the potlatch celebrations that were outlawed in 1884. Their vision is to embrace community members of all ages, especially the visitors and teens and teach the history, Kwakwala, dance, song and most importantly the Kwakwaka’wakw teachings. They offer visitors a chance to experience this and meet the dancers and singers in person, including the youngest member, Alexander is fifteen months old. They follow the path of the ancestors and promote caring, respect for all living creatures and our environment.

The dance group also performs regularly for visiting cruise ships and is available for special performances by arrangement for group’s of 25 or more. 

World’s Tallest Totem Pole
Admission: $ no charge
tel: 250.974.5499
www.village.alertbay.bc.ca/totem.html
Address: Near the Big House.

The 173 foot totem pole is carved by six Kwakwaka’wakw and represents a carved history of some of the people from Alert Bay. Chief carver Jimmy Dick was assisted by Benjamin Dick, William Dick, Gis Matilpi and Mrs Billy Cook.  The figures are acquired through marriage and represent the Sun man, whale, Old Man, Wolf, Thunderbird, Bear and a Copper.

The Traditional Big House
Admission: only through the Tsasala Cultural Group Performance
tel: 250.974.5499
www.village.alertbay.bc.ca/bighouse.html

The Traditional Big House is modeled from the traditional residences of the Kwakwaka’wakw and originally built in 1965. “Namgis artist Doug Cranmer designed and extended the house front in 1987. The original building was lost to fire in August 1997 and a new Big House opened two years later.

Hereditary Chief Doug Cranmer – Sisiult returned to Alert Bay and redid the carving to serve as a Gilakas’la! (Welcome) and Ha’lakasla! (Farewell), to the visitors today and is located near the tallest totem pole, above the Umista Cultural Centre.

Alert Bay Ecological Park
Admission: $ no charge
www.village.alertbay.bc.ca/gator.html
Address: Johnstone Strait coastline, 10 km SE of Telegraph Cove, Vancouver Island
near the picnic area and campground

Visitors can stroll along the wooden boardwalk across the marsh at Ecological Park, an ecological treasure trove of sights and sounds and a paradise for bird-watchers and botanists. A small flooded cedar forest is some of the only rainforest of this type in North America and serves as home to the only wild animals on the island; over 100 species of birds including ravens, eagles and migratory birds. A series of trails wind around the forest area and the boardwalk crosses the marsh, allowing visitors a close view of the swamp's ecosystem. Cedar snags, hemlocks and pine trees draped with "witches hair" moss provide an eerie charm and beauty. Their are fine examples of culturally modified trees in the park.

The Ecological park originated with a decision to build to dam half-way down the hill to store fresh water for a fish cannery in the early late 1870's and early 1880,s.    The trees in the marsh died within 5 years of flooding and the result is a very unigue rain forest worth a visit.

It is about a 25 minute walk through three trails and the boardwalk.  The Alert Bay campground is adjacent to the park.  It offers full facilities at reasonable rates.

Namgis Burial Grounds
Admission: $ no charge
www.village.alertbay.bc.ca/grave.html
Address: across and up from the public dock

Visit the Namgis Burial Grounds where visitors can view numerous memorial and other totem poles created by some of the best carvers in the area.

Memorial totem poles may be viewed only from the road at the old native cemetery which is one of the few remaining locations on the BC coast where totems remain undisturbed on their original site. The grounds of the burial site are closed to the public. Pick up a brochure at the Info Centre for background information on the totem poles.

Gwa’ni Forest Creations
Interpretive Aboriginal Land Based Eco Tours
Nature Tour: $225 day-tour of the rain-forest
Telephone: 250.974.2988
Address: Front Street, next door to Bill’s Pool Hall Café

Dawn Cranmer offers guided walking tours of Cormorant Island, and other nearby locations, and explains the traditional uses of the land and plant resources that surround the Kwakwaka’wakw territory.

Visitors may enjoy a unique cultural experience, direct from a descendant of the Kwakwaka’wakw, the people indigenous to the east coast of northern Vancouver Island and adjacent islands and mainland of British Columbia. Dawn has been involved in various forestry related training programs with the ‘Namgis over the past 3 years, and is a knowledgeable and poised operator of a successful non-timber forest products business.

Gwa’ni Creations operates out of the family residence on Front Street, next door to Bill’s Pool Hall Café, and across the street from the BC Ferry terminal at the Break Water. She reinforces the strength of obtaining knowledge from authentic Aboriginal interpretive guides, who have expertise specific to the lands they come from.

Dawn supplies buyers with her fresh forest greens, wreaths, garlands, swags, centre pieces, and candle rings made from cedar, salal, fir, balsam, pine and other plant species. She can be frequently seen on her porch, trimming boughs and working on pieces.

Gwa’wina Dancers Cultural Society
Internationally renowned dance group led by William Wasden Jr.

The Gwa’wina Dancers are from Alert Bay, home to the ‘Namgis, a powerful and strong cultural people of the Kwakwaka’wakw, known as the Kwak’wala Speaking People. The Gwa’wina are a highly trained group of singers and dancers, who live and breathe the culture and are ready to launch onto the world stage.

They are keen to travel, and are highly mobile, their regalia and giant cedar masks can be crated and shipped for performances near or far. The Gwa’wina (Raven) Dancers Cultural Society have a superb 2-hour performance that is so powerful, you will feel it when you watch the dancers and singers performWilliam Wasden Jr. leads this group of young people, who travel to share the culture with the world. He is a highly respected cultural authority from the Nation and has the support of the Hereditary Chiefs as well as the elected Chief and Council to represent the Nation through the Gwa’wina performances.

K’uaweekeela’s Treasures
Tel: 250.974.2100
Address: next to the ferry terminal ask at Bill’s pool hall

K’uaweekeela’s Treasures Art Gallery is owned by James Speck Jr. and retails traditional Kwakwaka’wakw art produced locally by carvers and other artisans including his own creations. All of the featured artists can trace their family lineage to the many villages in the Kwakwaka’wakw traditional territory.

The product line includes: Poles, Rattles, Whistles, Silver & Gold Jewelry, Masks Necklaces, Originals and Prints. K’uaweekeela’s Treasures is becoming known as one of the retailers of authentic quality collectables and gifts in Alert Bay, with locals as well as with the visiting public. “My customers seek me out as one of their stops of interest, and are directed to my store through my association with the Alert Bay Visitor Centre”

Stephen Bruce’s Carving WorkShop
Address: on the road leading up to the U’mista Cultural Centre, along the beach near the ferry dock

Stephen Bruce was born in 1968, in Alert Bay, British Columbia. He is from the Namgis Tribe of the Kwak-wakw Nation. He began to carve at the age of 18 with local carvers Ned Matilpi, Beau Dyck and Wayne Alfred.Stephen Bruce, Bruce Alfred, K’odi Nelson and Aubry Johnston all work out of the workshops small outlet and welcome visitors to observe them carving. Silver carvers often work out of this little shop as well, ask questions and don’t be shy, they love their work. The shop is located on the road leading up to the U’mista Cultural Centre, along the beach by the dock. (you can see it from the ferry terminal)

Stephen Bruce is the artist who has 3 poles near the U’mista housefront facing the beach. In 1995 he was commissioned and designed and carved the 10 foot Supernatural Halibut Pole for the Namgis First Nation Cemetery as a territorial marker for the cemetery boundary. A second pole was carved by Bruce Alfred and these are the first two poles erected in the historic site since a Doug Kranmer totem pole in 1979.

He is currently finishing a pole that will be placed in a courtyard in a castle in Italy, and is a twin to one he carved that stands by the housefront of the U'mista Cultural Centre.

Stephen has assisted numerous artists with monumental commissions earning him a reputation for monumental work, as well as the understanding and ability to answer to contractual obligations at a very early point in his career. This has continued to be a factor as he has received numerous commissions for totem poles and assisted on many large scale projects including a replica Kwas-waka-wakw village for a theme park in Holland, He has also completed a solo exhibition for the Derek Simpkins Gallery of Tribal Art.

Culture Shock
Admission: $Free
Address: 010 A Front Street

Culture Shock, “The Exciting ‘Namgis Experience” is one hundred percent Aboriginal owned by Andrea, Barbara and Donna Cranmer, who are Members of the Namgis First Nation in Alert Bay, British Columbia, Canada. “We bring the experience of management, education and entrepreneurial spirit together to succeed in building a vision that considers our dreams, life, culture and the community.”

The Cranmer girls come from a family with a strong entrepreneurial background. Their Grandparents, Arthur and Nora Dick and Dan and Agnes Cranmer both operated their stores in Village Island and Alert Bay in early 1930 and 1940. They were ahead of their time in business and educating the next generation.

Today, it is their turn to teach and honor the tradition and share it with visitors from around the world. Cultural tourism appeals to the educated traveler who is searching for the experience, the roots of a culture and brings an openness to learn.

The interactive art gallery-store, named Culture Shock is a short walking distance from the Alert Bay Ferry Terminal. The building is constructed on piers at the waterfront with a view of the local marina. Formerly the Cranmer Pool Hall and Confectionary, it preserves as much as possible of the old structures of the building and displays the sisters’ funky high-end fashion, Native abalone jewelry and the Native art of the region.

They combine tradition with trendy contemporary designs. Daily events from story telling, cedar bark weaving to rock painting and showing Barbara’s award winning documentaries attract customers. Evening events are scheduled year-round on an ongoing basis. Strong community involvement of all three sisters in incorporating local artists and the development of future young artists learning the cultural treasures and teachings is emphasized during the year, especially over the winter months.

Culture Shock’s mandate is to teach the younger generation the cultural knowledge and preserve what has been inherited from the elders. Culture Shock gives artists and cultural instructors in the community an opportunity to share their art.

Bill’s Café and Pool Hall
Tel: 250.974.5477
Address: near the Ferry Dock
open daily 6:30 am – 8:00 pm

Located near the Ferry Dock, the café is a convenient place to stop for refreshments as visitors stroll the village sights, and a gathering place for the local people, as they wait for the arriving and departing ferries. They offer a diverse menu and historical poster size images of the location of the Wakas House. The Wakas House belonged to Hereditary Chief Dan Cranmer’s uncle, and the original pole is now housed in the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and a replica pole carved by Hereditary Chief Doug Cranmer now stands in its place in Stanley Park. The Café is owned and operated by Chief Bill Cranmer and family. A Laundromat is located conveniently next door for those arriving on private vessels.

Kakasolas Fishing

Admiral Porgie Joliffe

MV Naomi W

250.974.2262

250.974.8117 (Cell)

Boat & Captain charter:  $600 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Most mornings at 6:00 am you can find Porgie having breakfast at Bill's Pool Hall & at 6:00 pm you can find him at Pass'n Thyme having a salad & find out if he is able to go out on a fishing and whale-watching trip or if he is going somewhere interesting that has room for you to join.  Porgie is an expert guide on the world-renowned Robson Bight Ecological Reserve, and the favorite beaches for killer whales.  He has been a fisherman in this area for 50 years and lived in the Broughton Archipelago for 10 years. He's a qualified Captain and fishing master for 100 ton Marine Emergency duties,  He has a medical examination certificate and is radio telephone certified.  Porgie shares his famous chowder and knowledge of the area with marine biologists from around

This area has had the largest concentration of Killer whales in the world, where up to 200 Orcas arrived each summer to rub on gravel beaches. The pods of Orcas return here each summer to rub themselves on the barnacle-encrusted rocks, pebbles and gravel sea floor. Attracted by the annual salmon runs that begin in late June, these mammals are the top predator in Johnstone Strait.

Robson Bight Ecological Reserve was established to provide a sanctuary for killer whales. The reserve protects key habitats for killer whales and prevents their harassment while at the same time provides unique opportunities for killer whale research.

Kayak Rentals
Telephone: 250.974.5091
Randy Bell has kayaks for rent and shares a great deal of information on the area.
Randy Bell
Cultural & Tourism Co-coordinator, Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations

Seasmoke / Sea Orca Expeditions
Telephone: 250.974.5225