The unique design of the museum building reflects ancient and modern - lofty beam structure of the traditional Big House and the spiral of the sea snail to reflect the evolution of the Kwakwaka'wakw culture through time. The masks, head-dresses, coppers, and other objects were confiscated in 1922, when a law banning the Potlatch was enforced. Kwakwaka'wakw leaders were forcedto surrender their regalia or face a prison sentence. The Museum Gift Shop offers a wide selection of items for all visitors to remember their visit to the museum. A collection of contemporary Kwakwaka'wakw masks, prints, wooden plaques and oil paintings are available, as well as fine silver and gold jewelry.
Special orders are welcome.
A selection of books on Kwakwaka'wakw art, culture, and local natural history are also available. The Kwagiulth Museum and Cultural Center's logo was taken from the Don Assu dance screen. The screen was made for the 1979 opening of the museum. Designed and drawn by Mark Henderson, and painted by Dora Sewid-Cook, the screen can be viewed in the lower gallery of the museum. It was adopted as our logo in 1988 with the permission of the Assu family.