Gigame’dzikas
Many Chiefs
A project to revitalize traditional leadership in our Kwakwaka'wakw communities
The Giga̱me’dzikas “Many Chiefs” project, through the Kumugwe Cultural Society aims to empower and strengthen the Kwakwaka’wakw namima by revitalizing identity, culture, rights, and leadership responsibilities, through coming together, creating community-led resources, and education.
A̱wi’na’kola
“To be One with heaven, air, land and sea, and everything in it.”
A leader must be concerned about worldview, cultural perspective, and cultural orientation. We must focus our leadership on relationships and reciprocity. We take for nature and give back our gratitude. In this way, we model a way of being in the world that demonstrates we are all part of the web of life, together, not separate. By knowing all living things are connected, including the water, the plants, the lands we occupy, and all human beings, everything is of value and has a purpose. We treat them special. We need to be grateful for the opportunity to express fellowship.
Funding
The Kumugwe Cultural Society has secured a funding commitment for the three-year project through the Law Foundation of British Columbia. We are grateful for their dedication to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and appreciate their support.
Thoughts & Learnings
“The old people were an integral part of knowledge transfer. Each generation was told their origin story, house story, and crests. “
