Kwakiutl dancers revive traditions

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Once again, the highlight of the Aboriginal Pavilion exhibit at Vancouver's PNE in August was the ceremonial robes show the Kwakiutl Dancers of Fort Rupert.

The traditions of the Kwakiutl Nation are shared with spirit authentically outfitted dancers portraying their people's history.

The show was the inspiration of the group's program co-ordinator, Gloria Roze. On returning to her home village of Fort Rupert in 1989, Roze was disturbed the prevailing racism and stereotyping of Native people there.

She was further concerned about the youth in her village. A cultural program for the youth lost funding and dissipated. So Roze decided to provide her own program.

Roze bought traditional masks from her brother, the owner of Fort Rupert's Copper Maker Gallery, with her own funds. She began making ceremonial robes and put an ad in the local paper advertising weekly traditional dance lessons.

"We can't wait for tomorrow, and we can't wait for funding. We have to do all we can do today, to keep our culture alive," said Roze at the PNE show.

Twenty-two youths began practicing in Gloria's then unfinished home. Since the time, the group has performed in schools and various events in B.C.

The Kwakiutl Dancers fashion show tells of the influence of the Hudson's Bay Co. upon the people of Fort Rupert. Prior to contact, clothing was made from the woven inner bark of cedar or from furs, and no foot gear was worn. The ceremonial robes which are worn today originated with the arrival of the Hudson's Bay Co. to Fort Rupert in 1849. Individual robes depict one's tribe, family crest and other information.

Roze explains the history and interpretation of each blanket worn prior to the performances. Traditionally, those dances would only be seen in potlatches, however, Roze received permission from her father, the late hereditary chief Thomas Hunt, to show them publicly.