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Archaeological excavations at Yuquot in Nootka Sound present scientific evidence that the history of Nuu-chah-nulth goes back at least 5000 to 7000 years. Many of the artifacts and stories in this exhibit, which have named HuupuKwanum, Tupaat Treasures of Nuu-chah-nulth Chiefs tell of the long continuity of Canadian culture.

Many of 241 artifacts and 75 images, some drawn from museums and private collections around the world, have never before been on public exhibition.

Once known as Nootka, Nuu-chah-nulth live along the West coast of Vancouver Island, Canada, and US Olympic Peninsula. This vibrant, contemporary culture has roots that go back centuries. Its artistry, ceremony and spiritual life express reverence for the sea, land and creatures.

Out of the Mist collapses time by bringing together objects from 18th century to present. These evoke the presence of Nuu-chah-nulth ancestors and reveal concepts at the heart of the culture.

Power or Ritual
Everything is one, say Nuu-chah-nulth people. All things in physical world originate in the spiritual world and many activities require spiritual powers that are acquired through rituals.

These can be as simple as washing the hands, or complex and demanding involving years of purification and rigorous training. Wolf Society ceremony, the highest spiritual practice in Nuu-chah-nulth ceremonial life, is sacred. The exhibit offers a glimpse of the ceremony that allows elders to teach children about their heritage, who they are related to, and their songs and values. Priceless artifacts include giant Serpent headdress, complex and dramatic transformation masks and rare woven whalers' hats.

Nuu-chah-nulth can be translated as "All Along the Mountains". Once known as Nootka, name given by Capt. James Cook in 1778, the 19 nations decided on Nuu-chah-nulth as their collective name, nearly 200 years later.

HuupuKwanum means all the treasures, tangible and intangible, that the chief holds for nation and includes territories, names, songs, dances, masks and privileges.

Tupaat is an equivalent expression to HuupuKwanum, but in Southern Ditidaht language that denotes ceremonial rights achieved by spiritual quest and owned by chiefs and commoners.

Nuu-chah-nulth chiefs, elders, contemporary artists and other members of the nations had day-to-day involvement in planning, interpretation and appropriate display of this ground-breaking exhibit.

Besides the museum, one could enjoy Royal Museum Shops and Museum Cafe.