On the central coast of BC, nestled in the abundant Bella Coola Valley and surrounding fjords and river valleys of the homelands, the Nuxalk Nation is healing as a community from the traumas of colonialism, and the Nuxalk people are rising to determine their own lives and futures. Nuxalk Strong illustrates their efforts to bring back Nuxalk ancestral governance, laws and protocols; revitalize Nuxalk language; steward Nuxalk lands and waters; and awaken Nuxalk spirituality and ceremony by re-opening Nuslhiixwta—family treasure boxes that contain names, crests, songs, dances and regalia.
In the world’s first-ever dedicated exhibition of the Nuxalk, co-curated by Snxakila–Clyde Tallio (Nuxalk Nation, Director of Culture and Language) and Jennifer Kramer (MOA Curator, Pacific Northwest), Nuxalk ways of knowing are being shared with the world. Nuxalk Strong brings together over 60 Nuxalk historic treasures drawn from the MOA collections, other museums, private and family collections. The display of these belongings expresses the importance of Nuxalk reconnection with their material heritage, made by the hands of their Ancestors. Depicting the distinct and unique Nuxalk aesthetic and style, these treasures continue to inspire contemporary Nuxalk carpenters, artists and weavers to create ceremonial regalia, masks, rattles and other cherished items to once again tell the Smayusta—ancestral family origin stories.
Nuxalk Strong is an important assertion of the Nuxalk people today of their ongoing self-determination and sovereignty, by honouring the teachings of their Ancestors and laying the path for putl’lt—those not yet born.
Uts’i s-tlhilh Nuxalkmcilh—Our Greatest Strength is Being Nuxalk.
Curators: Snxakila–Clyde Tallio, Jennifer Kramer