Alert Bay is a small island and village partly populated by the Kwakiutl Indians. It is home to the U’Mista Cultural Centre. In 1921, the Canadian government tried to stop potlatches and pillaged Alert Bay’s copper shields, wooden masks, potlatch-dance regalia, and other ceremonial objects that were use for the potlatches. Today, some of these items are on display at the U’Mista Cultural Centre, and you’ll also find excellent films on aspects of Indian culture and the Indian language taught to local children. Alert Bay is also a great place for whale-watching.