Bell, Robert, Chief (1859 - 1904)

Robert Bell was the first-ranked hereditary chief of Bella Bella, the owner of Robert Bell and Co. general store, and an officer of the Bella Bella Cornet Band. He does not appear in Bella Bella records before 1900 and probably moved to the village only after a fire destroyed the 'Qvuqvayaitxv community of Kokyet ('Qaba) on Yeo Island in 1891. Bell held the first-ranked 'Qvuqvayaitxv name and succeeded Boston Humchitt as the head chief of Bella Bella. He apparently supported the missionary's efforts to curtail certain traditional events in Waglisla while at the same time remaining active in the Heiltsuk ceremonial life that continued away from the missionary's gaze. When Bell died at the age of 45, people from the surrounding territories came to Bella Bella for a memorial feast that lasted for two weeks.