Culture
Yaka̱n’s nax̱wa ḵ̓a̱mḵ̓a̱mda̱ma. Ya̱x̱watła’ine. Dłu’ wa̱n’s dłidładła̱m. Dłu’ wa̱n’s gwayi’elas. ‘Wi’la’a̱m genakwa̱la lax̱a̱n’s ḵ̓wa̱lsḵ̓wa̱lyakw wałe’a̱n’s. Lax̱a kwisala. Ye’x̱ux̱ da nax̱wa government’ta dłu’ wida om t̕sa̱mt̕sa̱m’x̱idayu. Kis weł gax̱ g̱iga̱ge gax̱a̱n’s lax̱an’s gwayi’elas.
Nusux̱ da gwayi’elasix̱.
Our songs, dances, names and crests were handed down by our ancestors since time immemorial; no colonial government, organization or agency, elected or appointed, have the authority to dictate our culture.
My culture belongs to ME!
Culture is the lens through which we view the world.
Culture is the language, customs, traditions, beliefs, music, songs, stories and symbolic forms of everyday practices. It defines who we are as a people; keeping alive our past, reflecting our values, articulating our dreams, and fostering pride in who we are. It proclaims our existence and identity to the world. Cultural activity mirrors a culture; it is how a culture perceives and expresses itself, and is perceived, as expressed, by others. It can be defined as the symbolic forms and the everyday practices through which people express and experience meaning.
Your trip to the Comox Valley would not be complete without experiencing the fascinating living traditions of the Kwakwaka’wakw people who pass on their oral history through song, dance, art and stories.
Mission Statement
The Kumugwe Cultural Society strives to build a culturally vibrant future, individually and collectively, to celebrate, call and support participation in and access to the K’omoks and Kwakwaka’wakw cultural experience.
Vision Statement
The purpose of the Kumugwe Cultural Society is to promote, preserve and advocate for cultural practices of the K’omoks and Kwakwaka’wakw Peoples. To conduct activities that foster a vibrant cultural experience for its members and advocate for Indigenous Peoples to promote social change.
Traditions
“We will dance when our laws command us to dance, and we will feast when our hearts desire to feast. Do we ask the white man, ‘Do as the Indian does?’ It is a strict law that bids us dance. It is a strict law that bids us distribute our property among our friends and neighbors. It is a good law. Let the white man observe his law; we shall observe ours. And now, if you come to forbid us dance, be gone. If not, you will be welcome to us.”
Chief O’wax̱a̱laga̱lis
Mary Everson
The Kumugwe Cultural Society was founded to honour our ancestors and uphold the traditions they preserved for us and our descendants. On July 13, 2023 our founding President, U’maga̱lis (“Princess-all-around”), Mary Everson, left this world to become one of those ancestors. She was not only our President, she was also mom, ada (grandma), nox̱sola (knowledgable one), and mentor. A beloved friend to our membership and the Comox Valley community we have shared with for years, Mary helped found the Upper Island Women of Native Ancestry, advised School District 71, and served on a number of boards and advisory committees including the Aboriginal Women’s Council of BC and Yukon, BC Native Court Workers, and the Courtenay Museum.
Born January 1, 1946, Mary attended potlatches and ceremony since childhood where she bore witness to the cultural resilience and revitalization of the Kwakwaka̱’wakw. She sat at the elbow of the Old People, including her parents Maggie Frank nee Wilson and Chief Andy Frank. She was the guiding hand of the Gigal’ga̱m ‘Walas Kwagu’ł. To say we are heartbroken is an understatement. We are all struggling to live around the void that the loss of Mary has left in our lives.