In 1921 the Kwakiut'l people of Alert Bay, British Columbia, held their last secret potlatch. In 1980 at Alert Bay, the U'mista Cultural Centre (U'mista means "something of great value that has come back") opened its doors to receive and house the cultural treasures which were seized decades earlier and only then returned to the people. The center also took up activities such as recording stories told by elders so that some part of the past would always be alive and teaching children about their heritage in order to make them feel connected to their ancestors. This film documents the cultural significance of these events for today's Kwakiut'l people. It is an eloquent testimony to the persistence and complexity of Kwakiut'l society and to the struggle for redefining cultural identity for them.
Box of Treasures explores themes of native peoples, indigenous community, first nations. It is available to stream for free in HD on Ernax — no account required.
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 28 min
Director: Chuck Olin
Cast: Robert Joseph
Country: Canada
Language: English
Themes: native peoples, indigenous community, first nations, canadian history, british columbia, cultural identity
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