Denoted by the artist as being specifically in the Southern Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw tradition, this ‘Ma̱kwa̱la (Moon Mask) features a striking colour palette of black, red, and green against the natural tones of the red cedar. The eyes are accentuated with green and red lips frame an open, oval form with slightly curved edges to emphasize its expressive look. A finely detailed red and black corona surrounds the face.

The Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw used the moon in different contexts during a potlatch. The first is a story of a time of drought, when only one river on the northern tip of present-day Vancouver Island provided water. The moon, jealous of those near this river, descended to drink but found itself too large, and returned to the sky.

The second use of a ‘Ma̱kwa̱la is in a ceremony where the Moon embodies Imas, the ancestor who comes to acknowledge a family. Imas enters through the front door, gliding around the room in slow, majestic swooping motions.

In the third use, the Full Moon dance, part of the Tła’sa̱la Peace Dances, the chief initially dances and is teased until he runs out the door. He then returns transformed as the full moon, entering through the front door and exiting through the back door behind the dance screen.