U'mista Cultural Society

The Potlatch Gallery

Image of the south side of the Potlatch Gallery showing a collection of potlatch regalia mounted against the wall. Image of the south-west corner of the Potlatch Gallery showing a group of masks. Image shows a darkened corner of the Potlatch Gallery with a group of Numaml masks on the left. View of the North wall corner towards the centre and south wall of the Potlatch Gallery.

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Maxinuxw - Killer Whale Mask

Alternate colour photograph of Maxinuxw - Killer Whale Mask side view shot against black background

The Kwak´wala word for killer whale, maxinuxw, can mean “side by side tribe” which refers to the way in which killer whales travel together in groups. Killer whale masks usually appear in the Tła’sala Peace Dances as a treasure, but they can also appear in the T´seka Red Cedar Bark Dances to represent an ancestor.

Owner: Yekutłikalas, Sam Charlie, Mamalilikala (Village Island)

Maxinuxw

A large Maxinuxw or killer whale mask, numerous carved and hinged parts - dorsal fin, side fins, jaw and fluke, brightly painted black, green, red and white.
A large Maxinuxw or killer whale mask, numerous hinged parts, dorsal fins, flipper and tail, black red and white markings, pale green beak which projects over the upper jaw.