After visiting the U'mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay, we wanted to see the other BC Cultural Centre that showcased Potlatch masks. Since we were on a sailboat, we took the ferry to Quadra Island and then walked about 1 1/2 miles to find the Centre. There are little signs directing along the highway, but no sidewalks. Luckily, traffic is light and the scenery is relaxing.
The museum is compact and has probably a hundred masks, artifacts and other First Nations items. I found the blown up historical photographs really interesting as they showed how villages were built. The newspapers of the day were fascinating--not only stories about First Nation issues, but other world events happening. Most of the items are in glass boxes, although the totems and a few masks are in the open. The gift shop is very small with a few local artists represented.
There also is a totem carving shed, but when we visited, no one was available to discuss the totems being carved. The Centre is definitely worth a visit, though, and it should be better promoted because the First Nation history found here is educational. There also is a walk along the beach that sounded fun, but we'd already walked 1 1/2 miles and had another 1 1/2 miles to get back to the ferry.

I recently spent a short period of time on Quadra Island for some relaxation from work. I am interested in the many cultures of First Nations. In an add about Quadra Island, I had read some favorable commentary about the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre. I made my way there in the morning of Friday, June 21, 2019. It was supposed to open at 10:00 am. I arrived there at about 9:45 am. There were no vehicles in the parking lot at the time.

I went across the road to an outdoor First Nations site near the water. It had a video system set up wherein people can watch videos about the First Nations history in the area. I watched 3 videos, all of which were very informative. Just after 10:10 am I made my way back to the Centre. There was a sign on the door that read, "Back at 10:30 am", or words to that effect. I watched one vehicle pull in and the driver walked to the same site across the road that I have just described above. He returned to his vehicle, sat there for 5 minutes and left. I waited for another 25 minutes or so and nobody showed up. I then called the number affiliated with the Centre (250-285-3733) and found that it was out of service. I left at that point, as nobody showed up.

I later attended the tourist information centre located at the end of Harper Road near the credit union. I told a representative of the information centre about my experience and she indicated that Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre had been closed for more than a year. As a result of receiving that information, I did not return to the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre for the balance of my stay.

Back in Ontario, I have gone onto the website for the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre and located what is supposed to be a phone number, 250-914-8763. I called it and it is a fax number. There is also a fax number listed (250-285-3753). I dialed it and it is a phone number, but is not in service.

While I have no doubt that the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre, when operational, is very impressive, it is at the opposite end of the spectrum when tourists have no indication that it is closed indefinitely.

My suggestion to other tourists is to attend the tourist information centre before going to the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre. There may be an update as to the status of the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre. That's better than not knowing if the "back at 10:30 am" sign refers to the year 2019.

View and learn about beautiful repatriated ceremonial masks and other First Nation art and cultural treasures. Cute small gift shop. At the moment, they seem to have long-weekend-like hours so call a day or two in advance to make sure they are open. Very worth a visit!