Culture and Religion

Euro-American interest in Tsimshian, Nisga’a, and Gitskan carving (done by men) and weaving and basketry (done by women) led to the development of a commercial industry in which new forms of artistic expression were created to supplement traditional ones. This industry waned in the first half of the twentieth century but revived in the 1970s. Northwest coast art is now in museums and art galleries and private collections throughout North America, Europe, and the Pacific rim. At the same time, artists continue to be commissioned by hereditary chiefs and others to create totem poles, ceremonial regalia, and other works of art for use in feasts and other public events. The former sexual division of labour in artistic production has been relaxed and women as well as men now carve wood, design silkscreen prints, make jewellery, and weave.

Currently, young people join their elders in performing traditional songs, drumming, and dances both at ceremonial events within the community and in cross-community events ranging from theatrical performances to elders’ gatherings. Literature, like the plastic arts, is inseparable from the rest of the culture. The adawx, together with totem-pole carvings and sacred songs, commemorate historic events and are akin to the classic epic poetry of the ancient peoples in other regions of the world. These adawx are now being incorporated into school and university programs to educate young people in their history and to foster the development of native scholarship. Most “literary” production is still in the form of speeches and oratory at ceremonial events, though there is a burgeoning interest in written publications. The Bookmakers at ‘Ksan have published several volumes of stories and cultural materials; the Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a – a Nisga’a post-secondary institute – and School District 92, Nisga’a have also produced collections and curriculum resources, and the First Nations Resource Centre of School District 52 in Prince Rupert has published several volumes in Sm’algyax and English. A small number of people from these groups are beginning to write poetry and stories in English, though few of their works have yet been published. One exciting example that has been published recently is Art Wilson’s collection of original art and reflections on the struggles of indigenous people, with images ranging from the devastation of the landscape near his home community of Kispiox by unsound forestry practices to the execution of activist Ken Saro-Wiwa in Nigeria.

Northwest coast peoples do not separate religion from other aspects of their lives. The spiritual vitality and interconnectedness of creation – humans, animals, plant life, and the spirit world – are acknowledged in every aspect of life. Attitudes and practices that manifest respect for all living beings are instilled through education and extolled in the adawx. Spiritual beliefs and a value system based on them form the basis for the education of children, and they are especially emphasized throughout the lives of those destined to be leaders. The development of attitudes of respect begins at an early age and in the past was followed by specific spiritual training that empowered young adults to deal with the physical, social, and spiritual demands of life as an adult. Specific rituals were used for making contact with supernatural powers for healing and also for winter ceremonial dancing, life-cycle rituals, and in preparation for hunting. Chiefs controlled some forms of spiritual powers, while shamans had access to others. There were many types of shamans, including healing shamans and divining shamans as well as specialists who watched the sun and stars to predict the timing and bounty of the coming seasons.

When missionaries entered the area it was often at the invitation of the communities to provide access to education, economic opportunities, and health care. Christian beliefs were chosen, adapted, and included in various ways in cultural practices. Each community first accepted a single denomination, and today the same denomination generally retains its pre-eminent position among Christian groups in that community. In some communities there is still only a single church, such as the United Church in the village of Hartley Bay or the Salvation Army in the village of Gitwinksihlkw. However, the proliferation of Protestant denominations and non-denominational groups has created considerable religious diversity.

The practices of the more long-established denominations have been incorporated into many public events such as weddings, funerals, and political gatherings. People do not see any inconsistency in holding firmly to pre-contact ideas such as reincarnation as well as to Christian doctrines. The role of church services varies from community to community; in some areas the most widely attended events, especially between the 1950s and 1970s, were the “revivals” conducted by travelling evangelical groups. Such groups often denounce drumming and traditional dancing as “heathen,” whereas the mainstream denominations have apologized for their past behaviour and now accept indigenous practices as legitimate forms of spirituality.