tumtum and u'mista

Today, the U’mista Cultural Centre is both the only retail store in the world where you can purchase tumtum products and the most important tourist destination in Kwakwaka'wakw territory.. 

We are so grateful for our partnership with U'mista! But what is u’mista?

U'mista Cultural Centre

To understand the meaning of u'mista, one needs to understand a little more about what was appropriated. The Indian Act, created by the federal government of Canada attempted to eliminate our culture through the Potlatch Ban. Essentially, it was a ban on the way of life for all Northwest Coast people's, our cultural practices since time began.

" Celebrating the “Potlatch” is a misdemeanour. This Indian festival is debauchery of the worst kind, and the departmental officers and all clergymen unite in affirming that it is absolutely necessary to put this practice down." John A. Macdonald, Canada's First Prime Minister

A little over a hundred years ago (Christmas Day, 1921), Chief Dan Cranmer defied the ban and hosted a Potlatch on Village Island with about 300 hundred guests. In response, many attendees were arrested and imprisoned near Vancouver, at Oakalla prison. While our Chiefs remained in jail,  our sacred regalia was dispersed. Some items were taken as a trophy by the police officer who led the arrest, some sold to collectors, others sent to global museums where they were displayed as curios to show how Indigenous people "used to live", and others sat in museum and church basements.

"I want to get rid of the Indian problem. Our object is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question and no Indian Department". Duncan Campbell Scott, 1920 Deputy Superintendent General of Indian Affairs

This process of selling or removing stolen cultural "artifacts" is shared across many societies and is equally familiar to those who understand about the art theft of Jewish people during the Third Reich or to our Zapotec partner families who were colonized by the Conquistador Hernan Cortes in the early part of the 16th century.

WWII-Theft of Jewish Art

Conquistador Hernan Cortez: Supervising gold exports from Mexico ("New Spain") to Spain.

In earlier days, people were sometimes taken captive through raiding. When they returned to their homes, often through payment of a ransom, they were said to have u’mista. The return of our treasures from distant museums is a form of u’mista. Since the potlatch ban was lifted in 1951, the Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw people began the fight to have their treasures returned. In 1980, the U'mista Cultural Centre was created, a building to house the many treasures returned home U’mista Cultural Centre was created, a building was erected, and many of our treasures returned home.

Today in Alert Bay, potlatches are like that of Chief Dan Cranmer's, where the families still dance with the regalia and masks which were taken during the 1921

potlatch. Working alongside the U'mista Cultural Centre has been an honour. Every item returned carries the spirit of our ancestors and the strength of those, like Aunty Gloria Cranmer Webster, who fought to bring them back.

These treasures now rest where they belong — in the heart of our community. U'mista isn’t just a cultural centre; it’s a living treasure chest for all Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw, reminding our children’s children who we are and where we come from.

Gilakas'la U'mista

At the U'mista gift shop [Left to right: Kimberley Willie, Store Manager Michelle Shaughnessy, tumtum founder Molly WIllie, Brooke Willie]

tumtum products are available in Alert Bay at the U'mista and here at the tumtum website

Alert Bay Throw

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Handwoven 4-Coppers Throw

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