100% First Nations Owned and Operated
Alert Bay, BC Canada
Who We Are
We the 'Namgis originate from the river Gwa'ni (Nimpkish River). Our origin story tells of 'Namxxelagayu, a halibut like monster, who carried our first ancestor 'Namgwis to the bottom of the ocean during the Great Flood. 'Namgwis returned to the river creating a new beginning for our people.
The 'Namgis were originally based at the mouth of the Namgis River (aka the Nimpkish), directly across the Broughton Strait on Vancouver Island. Here they lived off the region's abundant salmon, herring, cod, and halibut, while relying on the western red cedar for housing materials, canoes, clothing, and blankets.
'Namgis
Family
Culture Shock Interactive Gallery is 100% aboriginal, owned and operated by Andrea Cranmer and Donna Cranmer.
Traditional Native Dance Performance in our Big House.
JULY and AUGUST
Every Saturday
Doors open at 1:00 and the performance starts at 1:15
ADMISSION FEE
Adults $28.00
Children $14.00 12 & under
Children under 3 are free
You can pay cash at the door or pay by debit or credit at Culture Shock Interactive Gallery or the U'mista Cultural Centre.
Special performances for groups of 25 or more.
Andrea Cranmer (250) 974 8097
T'sasala Cultural Group
About Alert Bay
Alert Bay is a rare and remarkable aboriginal cultural destination, steeped in history, natural beauty, and living tradition.
First Nations' people have inhabited northern Vancouver Island for thousands of years. The 'Namgis First Nation, within the larger Kwakwaka'wakw band, today represent two-thirds of Alert Bay's total population.
Today, Alert Bay is a quiet little town renowned the world-over as the cultural and artistic centre of the Kwakwaka'wakw.
Award Winning Film Maker
Lakwalogwa (Barb Cranmer) is an award-winning writer, director and documentary film
producer. She is 'Na̱mg̱is, co-founder of Culture Shock Interactive Gallery, active in band and treaty politics, and lives in Alert Bay.
Her films are:
I'tusto "To Rise Again"
chronicles the re-building of the ceremonial Bighouse in Alert Bay. Barb focuses on the ongoing cultural significance of bighouses to the Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw peoples.
T'łina "The Rendering of Wealth" documents the traditional eulachon (or "oolichan") fishery on the British Columbia coast and its cultural and economic significance to the Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw peoples.
'Qa̕tuw̕as "People Gathering Together"
show cases the rebirth of the Northwest Coast canoe culture.
Gwishalaayt "The Spirit Wraps Around"
featuring the art form of Chilkat weaving told by six First Nations weavers from coastal British Columbia, Alaska and the Yukon.
Łaxwesa Wa "Strength of the River"
documents the native fishery on the British Columbia Coast.
'Na̱megan's Om Dłu'Wa̱ns Awinagwisex̱ "We Are One With The Land"
highlights our people's journey to our Land in the Summer of 2009.