Theatre shares cultural insights with travellers

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The Gilda's Box of Treasures theatre is open this month for another exciting season of award-winning performances. The Weiwaikum Cultural Society, which operates the small Native dance theatre, recently was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year, at the annual Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards.

"This season we look forward to building on last year's successes-I'm really excited at what we have to offer the travelling public, as well as the residents of the Campbell River area," said administrator and marketing director Jason Wilson.

Named for the symbolic box that traditionally holds a family's cultural heritage of masks, songs dances and stories, the theatre company is the only venue where the public can witness a traditional potlatch ceremony belonging to Chief Dan Henderson's family of the Laichwiltach peoples.

Artistic director and Elder for Gilda's Box, Chief Henderson feels that "The theatre offers me, through Gilda's, the opportunity to educate not only the travelling public but also the youth of our community, who are our future leaders in our Gukwdzi (Big House)."

Stories of the past come alive through beautifully carved and painted masks, traditional regalia, dances and songs. Two major ceremonies are performed, the Tseq'a (red cedar bark ceremony) and the Kli'sala (peace/feather/chief dance ceremony).

The theatre has had outstanding success in its short existence. Organizers say the feedback they are getting is that the performances are exceptional and the narration easy to understand. Initially owned by the Corporation of Campbell River Indian Band, management was transferred to the Weiwaikum Cultural Society in November 2001.

For more information on Gilda's Box of Treasures theatre, telephone (250) 287-7310 or visit www.gildastheatre.com online.