... The Place to Stay, Experience and Relax
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Haisla Expeience
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www.haislatourism.com
info@haislatourism.com
tel. 250-632-2020
Fax. 250-632-2840
Toll free 1-877-HAISLA1 (424-7521)
Aboriginal Workshops & Performances
The Haisla Art Work of Haisla people are renowned worldwide for their artisan skills. Sam Robinson, Ab Morisson, Brad Starr or writer Eden Robinson. Skilled dance groups Spirit of the Kitlope, singers, and drummers will gladly perform for guests if pre-arranged.
Come and enjoy the aboriginal Art of the Haisla people of the Canadian Pacific Inland Coast.
Potlatch Dances & Bonfire
For over thousand years, the Haisla and other Pacific Northwest coastal tribes performed dances at their potlatches. Potlatches occurred throughout the year to commemorate births, deaths, the naming of new chiefs, the raising of tote poles or houses, or the acquisition of inheritances. These celebrations could last for weeks and hundreds of people might attend, with many gifts exchanged between families.
Ceremonial masks were worn in traditional dances, with each dance and mask holding certain meanings. The dances referring to the sea kingdom were especially important because the coastal people depended on the ocean for much of their food and livelihood. Different sea kingdom masks were used, including those of killer whales, salmon, seals, sea lions and herring.
Spirit of The Kitlope - Traditional dance group
After the arrival of Europeans in Pacific Inland Coast, many traditional songs and dances, which were used to recount legends at gatherings, were lost. The Haisla Drummers and Dancers Spirit of the Kitlope, guided by community leader like Dolores Pollard, have worked hard in recent years to re-learn the art of drum dancing. The hunting song, the salmon run and the canoe song are three of the drum dances now performed. Some of the movements are representations of fishing and canoeing gestures; another common move features outstretched arms, resembling wings. The drums, made from cedar, deer skin, are played by being rotated and hit on the top, bottom and rim.
