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Early Park Title

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

Welcome Figures in situTsadzis’nukwaame’, 1900. Charles F. Newcombe photograph. RBCM PN 949.

 

These two figures stood, facing the beach, before a large house named Quaksweaqwul in the Huu-ay-aht community of Kiix?in (Tlii-shin), located at the southeast entrance to Barkley Sound. They were erected in preparation for two potlatches given for the Makah people of Neah Bay, Washington, before 1900 and were still standing in the deserted village in 1911, when Charles F. Newcombe photographed them and purchased them for the provincial museum.


Welcome figures in Thunderbird ParkThunderbird Park. Trio Crocker photograph. RBCM PN 11690.
 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.
Welcome Figures in the lobby of the Royal British Columbia MuseumWelcoming Figures in Lobby, 2006.
RBCM IMG3253.jpg.

To preserve them, 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).

 


Close up of male Welcome figureThunderbird Park. BC Government photograph.
RBCM PN 13943.
 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 Welcome figureThunderbird Park. BC Government photograph.
RBCM PN 13943.
    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).
Welcome figures in Thunderbird ParkThunderbird Park. Trio Crocker photograph. RBCM PN 11690.
Welcome figures in Thunderbird ParkThunderbird Park. BC Government photograph. RBCM PN 13943.
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