This Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw button blanket was made and purchased from Matriarch Elsie Williams and Hereditary Gigame' Chief Fred Williams from the Gwawa'enuxw Nation. It features two Wolves and seven Coppers.

Traditional crest-style button blankets are ceremonial robes that signify power, hereditary rights and obligations. Each crest is owned by a group or individual and only they have the rights to use it. Button blankets date back to the early part of the 19th century and were first made from repurposed trade blankets. Today's button blankets are usually wool or felt with appliqués and mother-of-pearl buttons.

Wolf is an important family crest. Wolves are known to travel in packs and represent loyalty and devotion. The wolf can be identified by its long snout, flared nostrils, paws, and long bushy tail. Its body is often depicted in a crouching position. 

Coppers (tlh!qwa) embody the values of tradition, power, prestige, honour, wealth, and oral history on the Northwest Coast. They are made from a large sheet of beaten copper, cut into the shape of a shield, with a t-shaped ridge on the bottom half. Coppers are presented at most important ceremonies like potlaches, marriage and dowry ceremonies, naming ceremonies, rites of passage, etc. They are inherited or passed down and may be incorporated into Memorial poles, offered as tokens of peace and good will, used as offerings to the spirit world, or used to demonstrate wealth. As a form of public challenge a high status Chief would sometimes break a Copper and give pieces to their rival. To avoid humiliation, the rival chief must break or gift a copper of equal or higher value. In an equivocal display of wealth and prestige some were even flung into the sea to trump and shame all potential rivals. There are four "broken" Coppers depicted on this blanket.

This Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw button blanket was made and purchased from Matriarch Elsie Williams and Hereditary Gigame' Chief Fred Williams from the Gwawa'enuxw Nation. It features two Wolves and seven Coppers.

Traditional crest-style button blankets are ceremonial robes that signify power, hereditary rights and obligations. Each crest is owned by a group or individual and only they have the rights to use it. Button blankets date back to the early part of the 19th century and were first made from repurposed trade blankets. Today's button blankets are usually wool or felt with appliqués and mother-of-pearl buttons.

Wolf is an important family crest. Wolves are known to travel in packs and represent loyalty and devotion. The wolf can be identified by its long snout, flared nostrils, paws, and long bushy tail. Its body is often depicted in a crouching position. 

Coppers (tlh!qwa) embody the values of tradition, power, prestige, honour, wealth, and oral history on the Northwest Coast. They are made from a large sheet of beaten copper, cut into the shape of a shield, with a t-shaped ridge on the bottom half. Coppers are presented at most important ceremonies like potlaches, marriage and dowry ceremonies, naming ceremonies, rites of passage, etc. They are inherited or passed down and may be incorporated into Memorial poles, offered as tokens of peace and good will, used as offerings to the spirit world, or used to demonstrate wealth. As a form of public challenge a high status Chief would sometimes break a Copper and give pieces to their rival. To avoid humiliation, the rival chief must break or gift a copper of equal or higher value. In an equivocal display of wealth and prestige some were even flung into the sea to trump and shame all potential rivals. There are four "broken" Coppers depicted on this blanket.