Vancouver Island; British Columbia; Canada
Northwest Coast / Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka)

Cedar bark, swamp grass
ca. 1920’s (collected)
Diameter: 11 in; Height: 8 in
Other – Regalia – Hat

The Maquinna Hat is named after the powerful chief of the Mowachaht Nootka at the time of contact with James Cook and symbolizes a history of the Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka) People.  This early 20^th century hat was worn by a chief or whaler in the village only.  It is woven from red cedar bark that is stripped from the tree in mid-June.  The strip of bark is 10-12 inches in width and around 20-30 feet long and is taken from the north side of the tree.  The design on the hat is a whale intricately woven with black (dyed) swamp grass.

Reference:  MOA – Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver