Backstory: Nuuchaanulth Ceremonial Curtains and the Work of Ki-ke-in, which presented thliitsapilthim by Ki-ke-in.
Each curtain expressed and represented the families, histories, and cosmology of the Nuuchaanulth. Each had been painted for purposes to tell the “backstory” of its history and spiritual ancestry. One of the main themes was the remembrance of ancestors. They represented much of peoples’ identity in one’s family and acted as a connection between an individual and his/her particular culture and family tradition.
For instance, “Asmanahey Hiikuulthat-h Thliitsapilthim,” one of the thliitsapilthim in the exhibition, depicted six generations of women in Ki-Ke-in’s family. It showed the importance of each generation and its connection within each other. The story, narrated by Ki-Ke-in, was about his great-great grandmother, Asmanahey. From her, five next generations were represented within the background of a mountain range called Aawaachis and the beach at Wa’atnit. Each woman represented all the women in her family of her generation. It helped and guided the present generation to look backwards at their ancestors and find their sense of identity. For instance, as each generation look back at their ancestors, they can realize that they are meant to be deeply rooted to their ancestors and understand their whole family belonging. To cherish and remember their ancestors, this curtain thus had been used at ceremonies. It was first used at the wedding of Jacqueline, Ki-ke-in’s niece, and at the naming potlatch for his two sons.
Although the curtains were not "written literature", through this exhibition of curtains and oral presentation, I learned alot about the culture and history of Nuuchaanulth in Canada. Specifically, Ki-ke-in emphasized that curtains are not art. Rather, I learned that curtains gave them ancestry, privilege, and a family history, in which takes a life time to fully understand and appreciate the history of one’s ancestors. Also, it enlarged a bit of my view of "my Canada," which had such a limited and insufficient amount of knowledge on the traditions and history of Native Nation in Canada.
Each curtain expressed and represented the families, histories, and cosmology of the Nuuchaanulth. Each had been painted for purposes to tell the “backstory” of its history and spiritual ancestry. One of the main themes was the remembrance of ancestors. They represented much of peoples’ identity in one’s family and acted as a connection between an individual and his/her particular culture and family tradition.
For instance, “Asmanahey Hiikuulthat-h Thliitsapilthim,” one of the thliitsapilthim in the exhibition, depicted six generations of women in Ki-Ke-in’s family. It showed the importance of each generation and its connection within each other. The story, narrated by Ki-Ke-in, was about his great-great grandmother, Asmanahey. From her, five next generations were represented within the background of a mountain range called Aawaachis and the beach at Wa’atnit. Each woman represented all the women in her family of her generation. It helped and guided the present generation to look backwards at their ancestors and find their sense of identity. For instance, as each generation look back at their ancestors, they can realize that they are meant to be deeply rooted to their ancestors and understand their whole family belonging. To cherish and remember their ancestors, this curtain thus had been used at ceremonies. It was first used at the wedding of Jacqueline, Ki-ke-in’s niece, and at the naming potlatch for his two sons.
Although the curtains were not "written literature", through this exhibition of curtains and oral presentation, I learned alot about the culture and history of Nuuchaanulth in Canada. Specifically, Ki-ke-in emphasized that curtains are not art. Rather, I learned that curtains gave them ancestry, privilege, and a family history, in which takes a life time to fully understand and appreciate the history of one’s ancestors. Also, it enlarged a bit of my view of "my Canada," which had such a limited and insufficient amount of knowledge on the traditions and history of Native Nation in Canada.
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