At last a museum where you are encouraged to take photos! Not too much flash, but that’s okay. In a museum whose architecture reflects the post-and-beam structures of Northwest Coast First Nations, is a collection of articles from many different cultures, used for teaching purposes. Those on display in the main halls are from the areas closest to 
Bentwood boxes were also on display – they are the ones that are made out of a grooved plank which is steamed and bent, so that you have an insect-proof, waterproof box, which was used for storage of blankets or clothing or even for cooking. They sometimes have lids. The bottoms are pegged in and the fourth side sewn with fine tree roots. There is a photo of the volunteer guide holding up both a flat plank and a box. There are photos of the boxes as well.
From 1884 to 1951, if I have my dates right, ceremonial dances were banned. These ceremonies were at the heart of the culture and celebrated important milestones such as the birth or naming of a chief’s child, the passing on of traditional rights, the equivalent of unveiling a headstone a year after the death, a marriage and other such events. The languages were outlawed and children taken away from their tribes and educated in institutions far from home. The culture, of course, still continued, whether against the law or not but it was certainly a huge knock-back for the people. The renaissance of culture and language came just in time for the younger generation to earn from their elders before they died. Sound familiar?
There are also examples of modern works, such as those of Bill Reid (http://www.civilization.ca/aborig/reid/reid02e.html) and woven mats by the current generation of women. The research collection is extensive, with many different kinds of masks, musical instruments, boxes and other artefacts from many different places.
Anyway, have a look around at your leisure.
The web site is
And my photos are at:
