Header - Thunder Bird Park

Title - Late Park

 

Thunderbird Park, 1952.
BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-26782.

Nuu-chah-nulth (Huu-ay-aht) Welcoming Figures, 19th century

These two welcoming figures were installed in Thunderbird Park when it opened in 1941. In 1911, Charles F. Newcombe purchased them in the Huu-ay-aht community of Kiix?in (Tlii-shin), in Barkley Sound. They stood in front of a large house named Quaksweaqwul. The figures had been erected in preparation for two potlatches given for the Makah people of Neah Bay, Washington, before 1900. They refer to Huu-ay-aht histories of the time when the first man came down from the heavens into their territory. Originally, the figures had headdresses of sticks carved to represent eagle feathers. The facial decorations, depicting small marine animals and a drying frame for clams, were added later by Chakes George of Port Alberni. The figures were removed from Thunderbird Park in 1968. With the permission of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, they are now in the entrance lobby of the museum where they continue to welcome visitors.
RBCM 2102 (female figure),
2103 (male figure).

Welcome figure in Thunderbird Park
Thunderbird Park, 1955. BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-20998.
Close up of male figureThunderbird Park, 1955.
BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-20998.
 This figure represents Nutchkoa, a possessor of supernatural powers, watching for people to come. His pose refers to the time when he stood on the beach awaiting the arrival of his people, who were then but half-created. He stands ready to draw their canoes up and invite them into his house for a potlatch. 

Close up of female figureThunderbird Park, 1955.
BC Government photograph.
BC Archives I-20998.

 This figure represents Hominiki, a woman in some way connected with the moon, who married a Huu-ay-aht ancestor. In one version of the history, the woman is human and came from Shiwish (Fort Rupert).
Mrs. Mungo Martin, Tony Hunt, Mungo Martin, Wilson Duff and Mildred Hunt around the male Welcome Figure(Left to right) Mrs. Mungo Martin, Tony Hunt, Mungo Martin, Wilson Duff and Mildred Hunt, 1952. Royal Lowy photograph. RBCM PN 18465.
Close up of male figureThunderbird Park, 1955.
Wilson Duff photograph.
RBCM PN 12995.

 
Welcome figures with other totem polesThunderbird Park. BC Government photograph. RBCM PN 13945.
Close up of both Welcome FiguresThunderbird Park. BC Government photograph. RBCM PN 13945.
Male Figure in the foyer of the museumWelcoming Figure in Lobby, 2006.
RBCM IMG3575.jpg.
Female Figure in the foyer of the museumWelcoming Figure in Lobby, 2006. RBCM IMG3572.jpg.
Welcome figures in situKiix?in, 1911. Charles F. Newcombe photograph. RBCM PN 494.

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