Box of Treasures opens to reveal beauty, mystery and mastery
It is past midnight at the Ceremony and Feast of Lalakenis hosted by Chief Beau Dick of the Kwakwaka’wakw people.
We have been celebrating the breaking of coppers which shamed the Canadian government and its role in denying indigenous treaty rights and ongoing environmental degradation.
Energized by ten hours of ceremonies and presentations, we wait with the knowledge that, with patience, we will soon see a magnificent Box of Treasures.
Noises behind the Tree of Life curtain give hints as to which members of the Animal Kingdom might appear.
We have been celebrating the breaking of coppers which shamed the Canadian government and its role in denying indigenous treaty rights and ongoing environmental degradation.
Energized by ten hours of ceremonies and presentations, we wait with the knowledge that, with patience, we will soon see a magnificent Box of Treasures.
Noises behind the Tree of Life curtain give hints as to which members of the Animal Kingdom might appear.
The Tree of Life curtain lowers to reveal the Treasures.
As the curtain slowly lowers half-way, everyone moves forward to see the fantastic living display.
Ohhhhh! Ooooo. Ahhhhh!
White-faced masks jostle with sea monsters, sea urchins, mice and octopus.
Great masks of all shapes and forms peer out at the assembly.
Everyone in the hall is spellbound, staring at the moving, swaying wooden masks.
Ohhhhh! Ooooo. Ahhhhh!
White-faced masks jostle with sea monsters, sea urchins, mice and octopus.
Great masks of all shapes and forms peer out at the assembly.
Everyone in the hall is spellbound, staring at the moving, swaying wooden masks.
Chattering, growling, prancing and swaying, the animal kingdom and the supernatural beings hold our attention
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The chief comes out in front of the animal kingdoms
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When the Tree of Life curtain is raised, hiding the treasures, we all inch in closer, waiting …
And then another reveal as the curtain comes down again!
And then another reveal as the curtain comes down again!
The curtain dramatically lowers gain
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The Thunderbird emblazoned wit the copper with the baleen whale down below
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Four times the Tree of Life curtain lowers and raises.
The last time we see the Tree of Life has become the massive supernatural Thunderbird with the image of a copper in the center.
Drums begin, signaling the now un-masked dancers to come out and circle counter-clockwise around the floor in a brilliant dance, a rousing flow of curious, scary and amusing masks, all carved and painted with attention and mastery.
The last time we see the Tree of Life has become the massive supernatural Thunderbird with the image of a copper in the center.
Drums begin, signaling the now un-masked dancers to come out and circle counter-clockwise around the floor in a brilliant dance, a rousing flow of curious, scary and amusing masks, all carved and painted with attention and mastery.
Transformation mask
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Another transformation mask
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Two transformation masks (above) catch everyone’s attention.
These entrancing, mysterious masks open their outer masks to reveal an inner being, perhaps a man or another animal.
A dancer embodies and reveals another being during their dance.
The transformation masks similarly reveal not only another inner carving but the deeply held belief that it is only a thin curtain, perceived or physical, separating us from the natural and supernatural world.
We leave the hall, tired but reinforced in spirit, having partaken in wonderful ceremony, witnessed transformations of all sorts, our vision replete with the colors, motions and the spirit of Lalakenis/all Directions: A Journey of Truth and Unity.
These entrancing, mysterious masks open their outer masks to reveal an inner being, perhaps a man or another animal.
A dancer embodies and reveals another being during their dance.
The transformation masks similarly reveal not only another inner carving but the deeply held belief that it is only a thin curtain, perceived or physical, separating us from the natural and supernatural world.
We leave the hall, tired but reinforced in spirit, having partaken in wonderful ceremony, witnessed transformations of all sorts, our vision replete with the colors, motions and the spirit of Lalakenis/all Directions: A Journey of Truth and Unity.