Exhibit: In Our Hands: The Keepers of the Box of Treasures

“There was a meeting after the big house burned down and people talked about how they wanted to rebuild it. That was a pretty emotional kind of a meeting. It was certainly the best attended meeting that I have ever been to in this community. The council hall was completely packed. You don’t get that many people for any other meetings. This was a real tragedy for the community but that’s generally what tragedies do to a community. The meeting wasn’t really so much emotional as practical. It wasn’t a question of if but a question of when the rebuilding would start. The majority of people wanted it to be the same. It was agreed that it should be a little bigger because it was getting pretty packed [in the old big house].”

Detail: Don Svanvik
Gig̱a̱me’ Homiskanis
Kwagu’ł – ‘Na̱mg̱is

Don’s story in “In Our Hands: The Keepers of the Box of Treasures”, reminds us that communities are shaped by people who live their values – through their craft, their work, and their care.

Exhibit: In Our Hands: The Keepers of the Box of Treasures
📍 U’mista Cultural Centre
🗓 On now through Fall 2025

U’mista Cultural Centre
#1 Front Street, Alert Bay, BC
Open Daily 9-5:00