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Living Tradition, The Kwakwaka'wakw Potlatch on the Northwest Coast

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Lesson 4

Play / Pause — Potlatch Means to Give

Film: Barbara Cranmer, UCC

View Transcript Video Downloads Transcript txt / 1KB
Video mp4 / 1:30 / 17.7MB
Video ogv / 1:30 / 14MB
Video webm / 1:30 / 21.1MB
Video mp4 DV / 1:30 / 24.1MB
Video ogv DV / 1:30 / 15.3MB
Video webm DV / 1:30 / 22.6MB

My people, the Kwakwaka'wakw, have been guided by our ancestors. Our stories of origin are based on our first ancestors. Ceremonial masks tell of our beginning and share our identity and where we come from.

When one's heart is glad, he gives away gifts. It was given to us by our creator, our way of doing things, of who we are. The potlatch was given to us as a way of expressing joy. Everyone on Earth is given something. This was given to us.

Today, most potlatches are held as memorials for loved ones. Mourning songs are sung to shake off the sadness, wipe away tears, and set the spirit free.

Mute — Potlatch Means to Give

Film: Barbara Cranmer, UCC

View Transcript Video Downloads Transcript txt / 1KB
Video mp4 / 1:30 / 17.7MB
Video ogv / 1:30 / 14MB
Video webm / 1:30 / 21.1MB
Video mp4 DV / 1:30 / 24.1MB
Video ogv DV / 1:30 / 15.3MB
Video webm DV / 1:30 / 22.6MB

My people, the Kwakwaka'wakw, have been guided by our ancestors. Our stories of origin are based on our first ancestors. Ceremonial masks tell of our beginning and share our identity and where we come from.

When one's heart is glad, he gives away gifts. It was given to us by our creator, our way of doing things, of who we are. The potlatch was given to us as a way of expressing joy. Everyone on Earth is given something. This was given to us.

Today, most potlatches are held as memorials for loved ones. Mourning songs are sung to shake off the sadness, wipe away tears, and set the spirit free.

Play / Pause — Hamsamala, Man-eating Birds' Dance

View Transcript Video Downloads Transcript txt / 630B
Video mp4 / 48s / 15.1MB
Video ogv / 48s / 20.1MB
Video webm / 48s / 6.9MB
Video mp4 DV / 48s / 16MB
Video ogv DV / 48s / 11.5MB
Video webm DV / 48s / 9.5MB

In a forested area a First Nations man wears a large and elaborate ceremonial mask. It’s carved from wood into a bird’s head with a long beak, and painted black, white and deep red. Straw and feathers create the illusion of plumage.

Now inside the high-ceiling, wood frame ‘bighouse’, a First Nations group is gathered. In the center of a circle four men sit around a roaring fire, each with an elaborate ceremonial animal mask. They rise and march around the fire moving as if inhabiting the animal totem itself. The mouths of the masks open and shut.

Now back in nature, the man in the bird mask moves through the woods.

Mute — Hamsamala, Man-eating Birds' Dance

View Transcript Video Downloads Transcript txt / 630B
Video mp4 / 48s / 15.1MB
Video ogv / 48s / 20.1MB
Video webm / 48s / 6.9MB
Video mp4 DV / 48s / 16MB
Video ogv DV / 48s / 11.5MB
Video webm DV / 48s / 9.5MB

In a forested area a First Nations man wears a large and elaborate ceremonial mask. It’s carved from wood into a bird’s head with a long beak, and painted black, white and deep red. Straw and feathers create the illusion of plumage.

Now inside the high-ceiling, wood frame ‘bighouse’, a First Nations group is gathered. In the center of a circle four men sit around a roaring fire, each with an elaborate ceremonial animal mask. They rise and march around the fire moving as if inhabiting the animal totem itself. The mouths of the masks open and shut.

Now back in nature, the man in the bird mask moves through the woods.

Lesson 4

Cedar
The Tree of Life
Red Cedar Bark
Prayer to the
Young Cedar
Red Cedar Bark Ceremonies
T´seka Worksheet
Film Clips

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