Kwakiutl, confederacy of indigenous peoples living along the northwestern coast of British Columbia, Canada, especially on Queen Charlotte Island and northern Vancouver Island.

Their language, also known as Kwakiutl, belongs to the Wakashan group of indigenous languages.

Traditionally, the Kwakiutl relied on fishing for their main source of food. Kwakiutl men also hunted deer and moose, while women gathered shellfish, seaweed, roots, and berries. Kwakiutl groups moved seasonally between various semi-permanent camps to exploit resources, such as migrating fish or game. They constructed highly decorated multifamily houses out of wood and traveled in large dugout canoes.

The Kwakiutl were organized into as many as 30 independent groups, each governed by a chief. The population was stratified by rank, which was determined by inheritance of names and privileges. Kwakiutl raiding bands often attacked neighboring tribes and Kwakiutl settlements to acquire territory, goods, or slaves. Private property was the main index of social status, which was often independent of hereditary class. Conspicuous displays of wealth played a prominent role in social life.

The potlatch, a competitive exchange of gifts sometimes accompanied by ritualistic boasting and insults, allowed wealthy Kwakiutl to publicly demonstrate their status and wealth. During potlatch ceremonies, the wealthiest Kwakiutl sometimes even burned their property or threw it into the sea.

European explorers and traders first encountered the Kwaikiutl in the late 18th century. The Kwakiutl soon began selling furs with the Europeans, and relations between the two peoples were generally friendly.In 1849 the Hudson's Bay Company established Fort-Rupert on Vancouver Island, attracting four Kwakiutl groups to settle nearby. The Fort-Rupert settlement grew quickly into the largest Kwakiutl community, becoming an important center for ceremonies such as the potlatch.

In the late 19th century many Kwakiutl became commercial fishermen or took up work in fish-canning factories. Although the Kwaikutl adapted relatively well to the new economy, European diseases decimated the Kwaikutl population. The Kwaikuitl population declined from around 8000 in the 1830s to less than 1100 by 1929.

In the 1880s and 1890s German American anthropologist Franz Boas studied the Kwakiutl extensively and wrote about their customs and lifestyle.

The Kwaikuitl population recovered after World War II (1939-1945), growing to more than 4100 in 1991.

Since the 1970s traditional Kwakiutl culture has also experienced a dramatic revival.

"Kwakiutl," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2000 http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Kwakiutl

The Kwakiutl occupied the northern corner of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, from Johnstone Strait to Cape Cook, and the mainland coast from Douglas Channel to Bute Inlet, except a small portion controlled by the Bella Coola.

The material culture of coastal tribes such as the Kwakiutl hinged on the shoals of salmon that ascended the creeks and rivers each year, and on the abundant stands of free-grained cedar trees. The salmon provided them with an assured supply of food throughout the year, and the cedar furnished timber for dwellings, canoes and household utensils, as well as bark for clothing and mats.

(IC Indians of Canada"," D. Jenness)
Museum of Civilization, Ottawa, Canada