Treasures of Siwidi

February-March 2004

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
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Stories by Thelma Silkens, Campbell River Museum

Komogwey, Chief of the Undersea World.

The waters of Discovery Passage have been a major traveling route for centuries. On a hillside overlooking historic waterways, islands and the mainland mountains, the Museum at Campbell River offers a fine venue for experiencing the rich heritage of the people of the coast. Vibrant and contemporary exhibits reflect First Nations cultures and lifestyles, dating back 8000 years. In the First Nations gallery, Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth and Coast Salish culture groups are represented by ancient artifacts, ceremonial regalia, basketry, tools and utensils.

A not-to-be missed feature is The Treasures of Siwidi, in which the powerful voice of a local Chief narrates the adventures of the ancestor Siwidi. Journeying to the Undersea World, Siwidi encounters a host of supernatural creatures, dramatically illustrated as a series of spectacular masks are revealed one by one. Including Komogwey, Chief of the Undersea World, and many sea creatures such as octopus, whale and red snapper, the 24 masks are the work of contemporary First Nations artists. Visitors are unfailingly enthralled by this five-minute presentation. Within a darkened theatre the underwater world is visited by Siwidi, and looking up, one can see sunlight rippling on the surface of the water above.

Masked dance dramas are an important feature of Kwakwaka’wakw potlatches. Performances re-enact ancient encounters between heroic ancestors and various supernatural beings. Such stories, and the right to represent them graphically, are the exclusive property of individual, high-ranking Kwakwaka’wakw families. The masks displayed in the Treasures of Siwidi represent one such family-owned privilege.

Chief Bob Joseph (from Alert Bay), who narrates the Treasures of Siwidi, is a member of the family which owns this Siwidi prerogative and he begins by speaking in Kwakwala, introducing the story as he would in a potlatch. The Treasures of Siwidi is a compelling, richly satisfying encounter with an ancient tradition. The Museum at Campbell River at 470 Island Highway is open year round; daily throughout the summer and Tuesday through Sunday, October to mid-May. It can also be visited at www.crmuseum.ca.

“It’s a shift from the past”, says Parks Canada First Nations program manager Nadine Crookes, a member of the Ahousaht Nation (one of 14 that comprise the Nuuchah- nulth Tribal Council). Crookes worked directly with elders, local villagers and artists to develop the 2.5-kilometre trail from Wickaninnish to Florencia Bay.

Signposts along the way in English, French and Nuu-chah-nulth feature stories and images of Nuu-chah-nulth culture and history, helping to make the hike a more meaningful experience for visitors and area residents alike.

In 2004, Nuu-chah-nulth guides will start leading tours, adding to local employment opportunities and helping meet Parks Canada’s goal of protecting ecological integrity in the National Park Reserve.