Tag Archives: Potlatch

Arts, Indigenous Nations History

Kwakwaka’wakw artist Ernest Puglas explains how carving saved his life: ‘This is powerful’

As a new welcome pole is raised on Klahoose, Homalco and Tla’amin territories, its maker describes how, through art, ‘I have recreated myself’

Editor’s note: The author of this profile sits on the board of the Cortes Community Foundation, which commissioned Puglas’s welcome pole. IndigiNews is honoured to share Puglas’s story.

By  Forrest Berman-Hatch, IndigiNews,, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Standing before a crowd of roughly 50 people on “Cortes Island,” carver Kuma’inukw (Ernest) Puglas first acknowledges his Kwak’wala lineage.

Then, he thanks the Klahoose First Nation for hosting him and for the honour of carving on its territories (the island is the traditional lands of Klahoose, Homalco and Tla’amin Nations), before unveiling his newest cedar welcome pole in a public ceremony.

Continue reading Kwakwaka’wakw artist Ernest Puglas explains how carving saved his life: ‘This is powerful’ →
Politics

Jody Wilson-Raybould won’t seek re-election

By John Woodside, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Jody Wilson-Raybould says she will follow her grandmother’s lead and fight for a healthy and responsive government — just not from Parliament Hill.

On Thursday, the Independent MP for Vancouver Granville announced in an open letter to constituents she will not seek re-election.

Continue reading Jody Wilson-Raybould won’t seek re-election →
History, Indigenous Nations History, Spirituality

Mass arests at the 1921 Potlatch

By Catherine Lafferty, the Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Almost 100 years ago, while many gathered with family members to exchange Christmas presents, several dozen Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw people were arrested for holding a winter gifting Potlatch of their own.

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