KWAGULTH GUDZI UMAGALIS

The door to the Long House in Tsaxis, Fort Rupert. This was the Opening Ceremony for the Long House & Hunt Family Potlatch in 1995 hosted by Ross Hunt Sr. 

I went to the potlatch with my Uncle Doug Henderson and Grandmother Betty Henderson (nee Hunt). Both danced her Chilkat blanket. It was at this potlatch that Calvin Hunt received his Chief's name, Tlasutiwalis, from his wife's side of the family.

Look at this beautiful carving and wonderful use of colour. The building is truly something to be proud of. 

There have been upgrades to the building since then. To those that have contributed, I say a warm thank you. Gilakas'la. You know who you are. You know the love & skill you have contributed to the community. 

Tsaxis ''Kwagulth Gudzi Umagalis'' Fort Rupert, BC, British Columbia. Kwakwaka'wakw Big House '' House of the Chiefs'' Kanada, Turtle Island. 

Master carver Tony Hunt Sr headed up the Gudzi Community Big House known as gigukwdzi in Kwak'wala. 

The late Henry Hunt Sr shared his skill and oversaw the carving of the three Sisiutl Heads and Frogs on Tongues. Tony Hunt Jr, Tommy Hunt Jr., Steven Hunt, George Jr Hunt carved the Double-Headed Serpent and Frogs on Tongues with Uncle Henry Hunt Sr.

The Kwakiutl Chiefs were discussing the creation of their ancestors while waiting for the second course at a feast given by one of the chiefs at Tsaxis. At first, no one spoke for a while. Then Malid spoke, saying, “It is the Sun, our chief, who created our ancestors of all the tribes. And when the others asked him how this was possible, for the Sun never made even one man, the chief was silent. Others said, It is Mink, Tlisalagi’lakw, who make our first ancestors. 

Then spoke Great-Inviter, saying, “Listen Kwakiutl, and let me speak a really true word.  I see it altogether mistaken what the others say, for it was the Seagull who first became man by taking off his mask and turning into a man. 

This was the beginning of one of the groups of our tribe. And the others were caused when the Sun, and Grizzly Bear, and Thunderbird also took off their masks. That is the reason that we Kwakiutl are many groups, for each group had its own original ancestor.”

A chief visiting from Nawitti disagreed, and the Kwakiutl of all four groups became angry. The Nawitti believe that the Transformer (or Creator) went about creating the first ancestors of all the tribes from people who already existed. 

But the chiefs of the Kwakiutl scoffed at this, saying, “Do not say that the Transformer was the creator of all the tribes. Indeed, he just came and did mischief to men, when he made him into a raccoon, and land otter, and deer, for he only transformed them into animals. We of the Kwakiutl know that our ancestors were the Seagull, Sun, Grizzly Bear, and Thunderbird.