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.

« Back to Label List

Hayak´ant´alał - Speaker

Still photograph of HAYAK̓ANT̕ALAŁ - SPEAKER mask shot against red background

Each ‘namima or family group has a designated speaker who is knowledgeable about his family’s privileges and history. A Chief hosting a potlatch will arrange for a hayak´ant´alał to talk on his behalf in the Big House. In earlier times, a hayak´ant´alał would speak through a mask carved with an open mouth.

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

Hayak´ant´alał