Kwakwaka'wakw

Salmon on Driftwood
Rod Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Salmon is fundamental to all coastal peoples, and is a symbol of regeneration, health and life. M...

Salmon is fundamental to all coastal peoples, and is a symbol of regeneration, health and life. Many myths tell of people taken to the undersea world of the Salmon and return with secret knowledge and powers. Salmon have always been viewed as the life force for Indigenous communities. Salmon is often represented by scales, small fins and striated tail fin.

Raven Bracelet
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Raven is central to coastal mythology. As a culture hero, a transformer, and a trickster, his adv...

Raven is central to coastal mythology. As a culture hero, a transformer, and a trickster, his adventures at the beginning of time released the sun and the moon and brought the world into existence. Raven is identified by its straight beak and lack of ears or plumage on the head.

Salmon Bowl
Rod Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Salmon is fundamental to all coastal peoples, and is a symbol of regeneration, health and life. M...

Salmon is fundamental to all coastal peoples, and is a symbol of regeneration, health and life. Many myths tell of people taken to the undersea world of the Salmon and return with secret knowledge and powers. Salmon have always been viewed as the life force for Indigenous communities. Salmon is often represented by scales, small fins and striated tail fin.

Eagle Bracelet
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Eagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Coast. It is ...

Eagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Coast. It is respected for its intel­ligence and power, as well as its extraordinary vision, in both the literal and figurative senses. Eagles in myth are, likewise, usu­ally noble characters. Eagle is revered as a powerful hunter. Groups of mythical Eagles may gather for co-operative whale hunting expeditions, since, unlike the giant Thunderbird, Eagle is not strong enough to hunt whales alone. Eagle may ofte...

Raven Panel
Dawson Matilpi (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Raven is central to coastal mythology. As a culture hero, a transformer, and a trickster, his adv...

Raven is central to coastal mythology. As a culture hero, a transformer, and a trickster, his adventures at the beginning of time released the sun and the moon and brought the world into existence. Raven is identified by its straight beak and lack of ears or plumage on the head.

Bukwus Mask
Joe Peters Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Because he lives in the woods on the edge of the spirit world, Bukwus is often depicted in a dish...

Because he lives in the woods on the edge of the spirit world, Bukwus is often depicted in a disheveled and dirty state. His face is characteristically skeletal, his eye sockets deep and round, his brow furrowed, his nose beaked, and his mouth grimacing. His counterparts among other groups on the Northwest coast are Gagiid (Haida), Land Otter (Tlingit), and Pooq-oobs (Nuu-chah-nulth).  

Killer Whale Bracelet
Landon Gunn (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Killer Whales are widely considered clan ancestors. Living in human form in undersea villages, ki...

Killer Whales are widely considered clan ancestors. Living in human form in undersea villages, killer whales are often thought to be the reincarnations of great chiefs and are associated with wealth, unity and travel. Some prominent characteristic traits of Killer Whale are a rounded snout, blowhole, a dorsal fin, pectoral fins and a tail.

Wind Mask
Gilbert Dawson (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Seal Head
Rod Smith (Kwakwaka'wakw)

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary.

These works are hand-painted and design features may vary.

Thunderbird, Bear, and Human Model Pole
Charlie James (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Salmon is fundamental to all coastal peoples, and is a symbol of regeneration, health and life. M...

Salmon is fundamental to all coastal peoples, and is a symbol of regeneration, health and life. Many myths tell of people taken to the undersea world of the Salmon and return with secret knowledge and powers. Salmon have always been viewed as the life force for Indigenous communities. Salmon is often represented by scales, small fins and striated tail fin.Thunderbird is the illustrious ancestor and crest of many prominent human lineages. Large enough to hunt whales, the Thunderbird is a power...

Bear and Salmon Pendant
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

This pendant is carved on both sides.Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related t...

This pendant is carved on both sides.Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.Salmon is fundamental to all coastal peoples, and is a symbol of regeneration, health and life. Many myth...

Eagle Pendant
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Eagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Coast. It is ...

Eagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Coast. It is respected for its intel­ligence and power, as well as its extraordinary vision, in both the literal and figurative senses. Eagles in myth are, likewise, usu­ally noble characters. Eagle is revered as a powerful hunter. Groups of mythical Eagles may gather for co-operative whale hunting expeditions, since, unlike the giant Thunderbird, Eagle is not strong enough to hunt whales alone. Eagle may ofte...

Eagle Stud Earrings
Joe Wilson (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Eagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Coast. It is ...

Eagle is one of the most important beings in the art and mythology of the Northwest Coast. It is respected for its intel­ligence and power, as well as its extraordinary vision, in both the literal and figurative senses. Eagles in myth are, likewise, usu­ally noble characters. Eagle is revered as a powerful hunter. Groups of mythical Eagles may gather for co-operative whale hunting expeditions, since, unlike the giant Thunderbird, Eagle is not strong enough to hunt whales alone. Eagle may ofte...

Wolf Ring
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

The Wolf is respected for its strength, agility, intelligence, and capacity for devotion. Wolf is...

The Wolf is respected for its strength, agility, intelligence, and capacity for devotion. Wolf is sometimes an agent of transformation and is a popular figure in crest, story, and shamanic art. Wolf is usually portrayed with a long snout, bushy tail, and prominent paws.

Bear Ring
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on ...

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.

Bear Pendant
Lloyd Wadhams Jr. (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on ...

Bear is a dominant crest symbol. Bears are closely related to humans especially when standing on their hind legs, bridging the human and non-human realms. Their strength and intelligence are universally respected and they are considered to be helping spirits of warriors. Bear is often depicted with a short snout, round paws, stubby tail and bared teeth.