a. Contact: Sarah Holland
b. PO Box 253, Alert Bay, B.C. V0N 1A0
c. Phone 250-974-5403
d. Fax 250-974-5499
e. Email [email protected]

U’mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay on Coromont Island, BC is a facility built in 1980 with a Big House, exhibit galleries and support spaces. The building was expanded in 2000 in order to accommodate a larger gift shop and administration area.

The long-term plan is to add two additional Big House style structures to cater for expanded cultural programs and conferences. The new Exhibit Hall as described below, is one of the two planned. The addition will include interactive cultural displays and adjoining support spaces.

The U'mista Cultural Society was incorporated under the British Columbia Societies Act on March 22, 1974. Since that time, it has worked towards fulfilling the mandate to ensure the survival of all aspects of cultural heritage of the Kwakwa?ka??wakw. To facilitate the accomplishment of this mandate, the Board of Directors, composed of any person who is an individual, family of honorary member and can trace ancestry to a member of any tribe of the Kwakwa?ka??wakw, is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring all policy. The Executive Director, hired by the Board of Directors, is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that achieve the ends and aims that the Board has identified. This comprises day to day operations, management of the Centre, and yearly budget development.

(Source: Umista website)

http://www.umista.ca/home/index.php