Viewing Object

Object Description

Object Name

Mask, Sxwaixwe

Object ID

1970.004.001

Artist

William Buff Mathias Joe

Title

X̱wemelch'tsn Ceremonial Mask.

Description

A ceremonial mask. It is carved from yellow ceder, painted with black, white, red and teal paint. It depicts a raven. Parts of the mask stick out, while other parts represent the wings. On the back is written, "sxwaixwe," naming it as a ceremonial mask.

People/Subject

Capilano

The Capilano River and Canyon is in the District of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Joe, William Buff Mathias

Carver, of the Lower Capilano Reserve. William Mathias "Buff" Joe was born in 1920, in Sardis, BC. He was the son of Chief Mathias Joe and Ellen (nee Hall). His father was a famous carver and in 1949 his parents were the first Indigenous people in BC to cast a ballot. He was married to Phyllis (nee Natrall).

Native Peoples of North America

X̱wemelch'stn

The X̱wemelch'stn are a community within the Squamish Nation, part of the Coast Salish linguistic group. X̱wemelch'stn means "Fast Moving Water of Fish", relating to the Capilano River. The community was formerly known as Capilano Indian Reserve No. 5.

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Argus v4.4.2.32 - Langley Centennial Museum