In 1884,
the Canadian government instated a law that forbade all coastal peoples from holding potlatches. Potlatches are part of an age-old tradition of gathering to perform ceremonial songs and dances to mark especially important life milestones. These gatherings (re)affirm our place in relation to our people, to non-Heiltsuk, and to our lands. The potlatch ban was not lifted until 1951. During the intervening years of the ban, generations of Heiltsuk and other peoples were denied access to a fundamental part of their culture. Gathering at places like Húy̓at, where we could freely carry out some of our traditional practices, took on even greater and more immediate importance during this time.
"At that time, our culture was dead, you know. I never heard too much about our culture. Not until I went to Alberni [Residential School]. But dad never mentioned anything about chieftainships or nothing, territory, nothing like that. I know the storekeeper at BC Packers always asking him, "bring the mask over. I'll pay you for it." ... We lost some of our treasures that way, but that's the way it was. There was no really acknowledgement of our culture, not until I went to Alberni when the law was lifted. Then mom always sent me updates, pictures and of all the practices they used to… I was at the Alberni gymnasium, auditorium when the law was lifted. They brought in the Nuu-Chah-Nulth dancers and they performed for us. It was the first time ever to see our people. Then I got a different feeling about us, our culture, just, it was dead for a long time. So I’m glad that law was lifted."
- Yím̓ás Q̓vúmán̓akvla Wilfred Humchitt
"And we kind of lost our culture along the way but we kept, we kept food gathering... Quietly they did that. That was their form of potlatching, I would imagine, to gather together in groups like that. They weren't allowed to do that or they weren't allowed to gather together in groups and have ceremonies. But to gather together when they provided for themselves and food for the family. Interestingly we have a dance for barbecuing salmon and a song that our children do in their play potlatch."
- Yím̓ás Wígviɫba Wákas Harvey Humchitt
