Copper Shield Logo
This copper shield logo was created by Sxwpilemaát Siyám / Chief Leanne Joe for her business. It is a symbol that embodies her work in Economic Reconciliation and her heritage as a Kwakwaka'wakw woman.
About coppers in the Kwakwaka'wakw culture
For the Kwakwaka'wakw, coppers were perhaps the greatest symbol of wealth and power. Coppers, or t´łakwa (pronounced: GLACK-wa) were beaten sheets of copper in the shape of shields. Every copper has its own name, history and value. Coppers with animal names refer to the crest of the original owner. Others, such as, “All-Other-Coppers-Are-Ashamed-to-Look-at-it,” were named for the economic transactions that involved that particular copper. They could measure up to three feet long and were painted or sometimes engraved with the owner’s crest design.
Only chiefs can own coppers and owning a copper is required to conduct certain types of potlatch business. Coppers document the most important events and transactions engaged in during the life of its owner and perhaps his or her descendants as well. The more used a copper was, or the more it was publicly displayed in a potlatch, the more valuable it became. A copper’s value was measured by how many blankets it was worth. One special copper was known to be worth nine thousand blankets. When the potlatch materials were seized in 1922, they were appraised by the authorities at $1,456 not including the coppers, for which no compensation was paid.
In earlier times, “breaking” a copper was the most formidable challenge that could be made by an owner to a rival, who then must break a copper of equal or larger value. A rival who could not respond faced humiliation before the community. Today, breaking of coppers is not permitted at all within the ceremonial Bighouse because it is considered a hostile act.
“Hopefully we can touch the conscience so people will start caring more and work towards creating a world of well-being for all of our children and our mankind," he said. "People need to be aware of the situation that we’re in in regards to our environment.”
Late Beau Dick, former carver and Hereditary Chief, Namgis First Nation, B.C.
