Columbaria have long played a vital role in memorial practices, serving as a dignified and sacred space for the storage of urns containing ashes of the deceased. This form of memorialization, dating back to ancient times, offers a communal yet personal means of honoring and remembering loved ones. The presence of columbaria in both historical […]
The Snuneymuxw have used their knowledge of the rivers, the estuary, the ocean and the forests to support and nurture their people and their culture for thousands of years. What they could not harvest, hunt or fish in their own territory, they traded for with other nations. The Snuneymuxw have lived intimately with their surroundings […]
Today, the Snuneymuxw community remembers and learns from the Elders and takes pride in the skills of their people, who are champion lacrosse players and canoe racers, published authors and talented carvers, teachers and keepers of tradition. All the tools used by their ancestors have a modern version, suited to life in the 21st century. […]
Each of the objects in this collection has a place in the oral history and culture of the Snuneymuxw. The Elders traditionally pass on knowledge through stories. Stories can explain how something came to be, how it was made, and how it can be used by a clever person. Household Items The work of creating […]
The Snuneymuxw community is again learning the teachings of the Elders as they share their culture and discuss bringing home the objects of their ancestors.
by people who tried to convince them to turn their backs on their culture. Many of their masks, spindle whorls and the very posts of their houses were moved to museums in Europe, the United States and Canada.
Their language is a link to the knowledge of their ancestors and Elders. They are teaching their children to speak their own language so that they will understand the strength that is within their community.
They can look to the accomplishments of the teachers, writers, scholars, parents, athletes and artists in their Community Stories. Those who hold the traditional knowledge can explain the complex meaning and the skill required to weave the baskets, carve the house posts and to craft the tools used by their ancestors.