A few years ago an arsonist burnt down the community's Big House in what was an apparent anti-Indian act.   The Namqis First Nation responded by not simply re-building it, but by building the largest one ever built.   It is a beautiful structure that serves the community and its guests admirably well.   It also speaks to the resilience of spirit of survival of Canada's First Nations.

Interior of the Big House at Alert Bay, with two Thunderbirds holding aloft a Sisiutl (Sea creature) beam.

This shows the Dzunukwa (wild woman of the woods) figure below the Thunderbird supporting the Sisiutl beam.   At lower left is a carved chair by Kevin Cranmer.

The Umista Center is a wonderful museum, cultural center and shop on the island. You can visit their website at: www.umista.org.