Description

The Northwest Coast region is home to the Kwakwakaʼwakw peoples, formerly known as Kwakiutl. Kwakwakaʼwakw means “people who speak Kwak’wala.” This Indigenous group of First Nations mainly reside in areas such as Vancouver Island and adjacent British Columbia. Each Kwakwakaʼwakw nation has its own distinct stories and traditions, yet a central belief is ancestral connectedness. However, their connection to nature and each other has been threatened by cultural erasure. Bill Henderson, the creator of the Bubble Man Mask, exemplifies how art and tradition serve as powerful forms of inspiration.

Henderson, a Wei Wai Kum First Nation member, is an internationally esteemed carver dedicated to preserving Kwakwakaʼwakw traditions. His late father, Chief Sam Henderson, taught him how to make his own tools and transform the cedar wood. Henderson continues his father’s legacy, imparting the stories of their people through totem poles, dance masks, paddles, and plaques. 

The Bubble Man mask uses a variety of traditional techniques and designs relevant to Kwakwakaʼwakw beliefs. The mask is carved from red cedar, an essential resource due to its durability and smooth carving. The traditional colors of black, red, and bluish-green provide a beautiful contrast against the red cedar. These colors were traditionally made from natural minerals and plants, but are now made with acrylic paint for a long-lasting finish. The formline design, characterized by ovoids, U-shapes, and S-shapes, is evident in the mask and various forms of Northwest Coast art.

While Henderson did not provide a direct interpretation of the mask, several attributes may suggest a connection to Komokwa, the mythological Chief of the Undersea People. Henderson has created masks of Komokwa, whose name means “The Wealthy One.” The Bubble Man mask is adorned with inlays of mother-of-pearl and abalone, symbols of wealth and the sea. The three painted circles on his forehead and nose resemble air bubbles. Henderson’s Bubble Man and Komokwa masks share similar characteristics, derived from the ancestral stories of the Kwakwakaʼwakw. 

The art of spiritual storytelling is especially prevalent during potlatch ceremonies. During a potlatch, hosts invite Kwakwakaʼwakw nations and neighboring First Nations to a grand feast where gifts are exchanged and ancestors are honored. These gift-giving ceremonies can last several days to weeks, depending on the occasion. Potlatches commemorate significant events such as births, marriages, or mourning periods during which social rankings would be established or reaffirmed. These moments join the community together, reigniting their ancestral identity and connection to each other. Beneath the firelight, immersed in the chants and stories of the people, the Kwakwakaʼwakw honor their culture. 

These communal traditions were nearly eradicated during the Potlatch Ban of 1885-1951. The Canadian government prohibited the Kwakwakaʼwakw and other First Nations from partaking in potlatches. Anyone caught dancing had their masks destroyed, confiscated, or sold to museums. Members hosting potlatches were imprisoned and had their regalia confiscated. The Kwakwakaʼwakw were denied an integral part of their identity for sixty-six years. 

The forced assimilation was detrimental to the Kwakwakaʼwakw, but they remained resilient despite the government’s efforts. Members held potlatches in secret, knowing what they would sacrifice to maintain their ancestral heritage. The Kwakwakaʼwakw persisted, and after sixty-six years, the ban was lifted. When the  First Nations reunited, there was an even greater importance on keeping their traditions alive.

Amidst cultural suppression, Kwakwakaʼwakw remain steadfast to their traditions and peoples. Expressions of art, such as Henderson’s Bubble Man mask, continue to thrive, instilling the history of the Kwakwakaʼwakw. Henderson has entrusted his skills to his nephews, ensuring the next generation’s commitment to preserving Kwakwakaʼwakw culture. 

—Francesca Galván

Sources: 

• “Abalone Shell.” Instagram, July 23, 2022. https://www.instagram.com/p/CgXaDY6hNY-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&img_index=1
• Ancheta, Melonie. “Coloring the Native Northwest Coast.” NMAI Magazine. Accessed June 1, 2024. https://www.americanindianmagazine.org/story/coloring-native-northwest-coast
• “Banning the Potlach – The Edge of the World: BC’s Early Years | Knowledge Network.” YouTube, September 24, 2020. https://youtu.be/eIIS7a0GUgw?si=KfUyFpq1SQoVQlYk
• “Bill Henderson.” Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery Inc. Accessed June 1, 2024. https://spiritsofthewestcoast.com/collections/bill-henderson
• “Chief of the Undersea People Mask.” Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery Inc. Accessed June 1, 2024. https://spiritsofthewestcoast.com/collections/bill-henderson/products/chief-of-the-undersea-people-mask-by-bill-henderson
• “Chief Sam Henderson.” Potlatch 67-67, August 8, 2018. https://potlatch6767.com/artists/chief-sam-henderson
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• “Learning from the Master: The Legacy of Sam Henderson.” YouTube, December 19, 2019. https://youtu.be/jQ6ty2mhwF8?si=wDo7dnqecrAQ-MIr
• “Making Wood Talk with Bill Henderson.” YouTube, June 21, 2012. https://youtu.be/w7JFccGtPH8?si=w6M19a94N1JJSBDz
• Murphy, Tracy, and Annie Pardo. “Native American Art of the Northwest Coast.” Google Arts & culture. Accessed June 1, 2024. https://artsandculture.google.com/story/native-american-art-of-the-northwest-coast-bureau-of-indian-affairs/ywWBBqM_vlZQLg?hl=en
• Noakes, Taylor C. “Potlatch Ban.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, June 14, 2023. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/potlatch-ban#:~:text=From%201885%20to%201951%2C%20the,the%20assimilation%20of%20Indigenous%20Peoples
• “Our Culture.” Wei Wai Kum First Nation, January 19, 2022. https://weiwaikum.ca/about/our-culture
• Snively, Gloria. “Kwakwaka’wakw: Colonization, Resistance, and Revitalization of Culture.” BCcampus Pressbooks, November 30, 2018. https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/knowinghome2/chapter/kwakwakawakw-a-righting-of-a-wrong
• “Talking Tools with Bill Henderson.” YouTube, August 14, 2020. https://youtu.be/jz19heYoDPY?si=5LE-J6OfEhWqBrZf
• “The Tree of Life.” Living Tradition, The Kwakwaka’wakw Potlatch on the Northwest Coast. Accessed June 1, 2024. https://umistapotlatch.ca/enseignants-education/cours_4_partie_2-lesson_4_part_2-eng.php
• Webster, Gloria  Cranmer. “Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwakiutl).” The Canadian Encyclopedia, November 21, 2006. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/kwakiutl.