U’mista Cultural Centre

U’mista Cultural Centre is a prominent First Nations cultural facility in Alert Bay, Vancouver Island. Standing as a testament to the resilience and revitalization of Indigenous culture, the centre’s mission is to house historic potlatch artifacts and ensure the survival of Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw cultural heritage. The focus of the permanent collection is the “Potlatch Collection.” Other permanent exhibits on display include descriptions of the traditional ethnobiology of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw and origin stories of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw villages, as well as historical and contemporary Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw objects. Visitors can explore the heritage of First Nations culture through the permanent and travelling exhibits, group tours, and dance troupe performances.