U'mista Cultural Society

The Potlatch Gallery

View of north side of the Potlatch Gallery, ceremonial regalia mounted along the wall to the right of the viewer. Image shows a section of the north side of the Potlatch Gallery in which a speaker’s staff, a dzunakwa mask, four mourning masks and two copper shields are displayed. Image of a corner of the Potlatch Gallery close to the entrance View of the entrance wall at the east end of the Potlatch Gallery.

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Gwaxgwakwalanuksiwe’ - Raven-at-the-North-End-of-the-World

Still image of Gwaxgwakwalanuksiwe' - Raven-at-the-north-end-of-the-world mask shot against black background

The mystical Raven is one of the bird-servants to Man-Eater-at-the-North-End-of-the-World. Their role was to kill people and bring this food to their master. When the Cannibal-Dancer hears the name of this raven, he goes into a frenzy and begins to run wild.

Gwaxgwakwalanuksiwe’

A mystical raven mask with long hinged beak, black, white and red painted markings with braided cedar back, top and below.
Large raven mask with long black hinged beak, red mouth and nostrils, white patch around eyes with cedar bark trip atop and draping from back and sides.
Raven mask with long hinged beak, mostly black with red trim, carved nostrils white areas around eyes and beside nostrils, cedar trim on top and below.